One of the oldest cities of Brandenburg is idyllically located in the rural landscapes of the Nordprignitz region: Wittstock. In 1636 one of the Thirty Years’ War’s bloodiest battles was fought here between 16,000 Swedes and 22,000 imperial soldiers. Hardly any place in the whole of Brandenburg escaped the war horrors. Only 40 of Rathenow’s previous 3,000 inhabitants survived. Not even thirty years had passed when treaties forced Sweden and Brandenburg to enter a new war and the nightmare started again. The Swedes were finally beaten near Rathenow and Fehrbellin in 1675 by Elector Friedrich Wilhelm and driven from Brandenburg for good. Statues were built to commemorate this "achievement" and he was referred to as "the Great".
Remembering this terrible chapter in Swedish-German relations we visit

• Rathenow and its old town, the Havel Bridge and The Elector’s Memorial
• the Battle Memorial in Fehrbellin, that offers great views into the peaceful surroundings , which were once a bloodily contested battleground
• the Thirty Years’ War Museum in the former bishop’s castle and the battlefield exhibition on Scharfenberg near Wittstock.

An event jointly organized by Musikfestspiele Sanssouci and URANIA "Wilhelm Foerster" Potsdam e.V.
Supported by Church of St. Mary Wittstock.