Visit to the Old Town on the River Spree walking tour - Discovery Tour

Beeskow is not as bad as it sounds, is how Theodor Fontane described the present-day district town in the administrative district of Oder-Spree. It was built in the 13th century in the shelter of its historic landmark, Beeskow Castle, around the market square. Designed as a moated castle with moat, castle wall and 27-metre-high keep with viewing platform, the Castle attracted considerable attention beyond the region after German Reunification as an exhibition venue for former GDR art works. The site is also the venue for regular events, celebrations and exhibitions that are well worth visiting.Length: 3 kilometres (1 hour)Start / finish: Beeskow tourist information centreLogo/route sign: Not specifiedHow to get there:Public transport: From Berlin central station, take the RE2 (Cottbus) to Königs Wusterhausen. Continue from here by bus 721 (Kablow-Ziegelei) to Zernsdorf and then with the RB36 (Frankfurt (Oder)) to Beeskow (around 2 hours).Car: From Berlin along the A113, A10, A12 and the B168 to Beeskow (around 1.5 hours)Route description: Two important trading routes used to cross at the market square, and business in the market was very busy in the Middle Ages. The almost completely preserved town wall encloses the historic town centre, giving an impression of the size of the settlement in those days. In 2002, the Gothic brick single-nave St. Marien church, which originally had five aisles, was given its tower back. At 47 metres, it can be clearly seen above the town centre. Opposite stands Beeskow’s crooked Oldest House, which is also the oldest house in the eastern Mark Brandenburg. The last major town fire in 1513 did not completely destroy the original outbuilding, which was then rebuilt using timber beams that were still usable. Its highlight is the outstanding upper floor. The former storehouse was then used as a residence. It was given a wood-panelled room and a black kitchen plus sleeping facilities on the upper floor. Today, the historic half-timbered house is open to everyone.Sights:Beeskow’s “Oldest House”St. Marienkirche churchBeeskow Castle Regional MuseumBeeskow CastleMaps/Literature:"Radwander- und Wanderkarte Scharmützelsee, Bad Saarow und Umgebung: Radeln und Wandern zwischen Beeskow, Fürstenwalde und Storkow", 1:35,000, Verlag: Barthel, A., Auflage: 3 (1. Juni 2015), ISBN-13: 978-3895910807, Euro 5.90Spreewald - Teupitz - Beeskow - Lübben - Lübbenau - Burg: Wanderkarte mit Aktiv Guide und Radwegen., 1:50,000, Verlag: KOMPASS, Auflage: 2 (1. Juli 2014), ISBN-13: 978-3850264136, Euro 9.99