Glewe was a Slavic village. The "new town" ("Neustadt") was founded around 1250 by the counts of Schwerin who called it "Nova Civitas Chlewa". The location of the settlement was quite favourable: It did not even need a fortification, as it was enclosed by the Elde and one of its tributaries. Only the bridges leading into town had to be secured. In 1291 Neustadt-Glewe was assigned the status of a town.
In the 14th and 15th centuries a fortress was built, which is one of the oldest profane buildings of Mecklenburg. However, soon the fortress was no longer comfortable enough for the Mecklenburg dukes, who kept a secondary residence in Neustadt-Glewe. In the year 1618 the master architect Ghert Evert Piloot began building a castle. The work lasted until 1720. Hence the castle unites elements of the late Renaissance and of plain baroque. The erection of a second castle began in today's town district of Friedrichsmoor in 1780. The hunting lodge, which was ordered by Friedrich Franz I, is a rare half-timbered construction.
Ironworks were of eminent economic significance for Neustadt-Glewe up to the 18th century. The abundant existence of iron ore made this possible.
Stadtinformation Neustadt-Glewe
Markt 1
19306 Neustadt-Glewe
phone: 038757-23784
fax: 038757-50012
e-mail: museum@neustadt-glewe.de
Internet: www.neustadt-glewe.de