Ever wonder how a small town northeast of Berlin holds so much history? I am excited to tell you the story of Werneuchen. Werneuchen sits in the Barnim district of Brandenburg. Most residents commute to Berlin. Werneuchen offers a blend of rural charm and historical significance.
Werneuchen’s story began long ago. It was first mentioned in 1247. A priest named Johann de Warnow signed two documents. The town’s name origin is debated. Some say it comes from “Warnowichen” meaning Klein-Warnow. Others believe it’s from “Wern-Eichen.” This refers to a tree where the Wröh was held. The Wröh was a local court. It settled field disputes.
In 1432, Hussite troops destroyed Werneuchen. Unlike Bernau, Werneuchen lacked strong defenses. Residents fled instead of fighting. The Thirty Years’ War brought more devastation. Plundering and fire almost destroyed the town in 1637.
Despite being a town since 1375, Werneuchen remained relatively small. Theodor Fontane described it in his writings. He acknowledged the residents’ hard work on fertile lands. Werneuchen citizens faced many challenges.
The construction of the Berlin-Wriezen railway improved Werneuchen’s accessibility in 1898. A local club promoted the railway. In 1906, Werneuchen got an electricity plant and streetlights. New housing areas like Rudolfshöhe and Amselhain emerged between 1910 and 1930. The regional train to Berlin is important. It complements the Berlin S-Bahn ending in Ahrensfelde.
From 1937, Werneuchen became a Luftwaffe airbase. It housed the Jagdfliegerschule 1. After World War II, the Soviets expanded the Werneuchen airfield. It became a military airfield until 1993. Today, it serves as a sports airfield.
After the war, Weesow hosted Soviet Special Camp No. 7. It was an internment camp. Later, it moved to Sachsenhausen.
After reunification, Werneuchen formed the Amt Werneuchen in 1992. Several surrounding communities joined. Werneuchen became independent in 2003.
Today, Werneuchen has about 9,441 residents. It has a town hall and several historical sites. Werneuchen is twinned with Dziwnów and Ustronie Morskie in Poland since 1996.
Werneuchen offers several notable sights. St. Michael’s Church is a neogothic structure built in 1873/1874. It features the tombs of the Schmidt family and the Petitjean mausoleum. Werneuchen Castle is a historicist building from 1913. The Gutshof Hirschfelde is another attraction.
Werneuchen is still shaped by agriculture and forestry. Fruit farming dominates near Märkisch-Oderland. The town has many small businesses and larger food industry companies. The ADAC operates a driving safety center in Werneuchen.
The EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg built Germany’s largest solar park. It is located in Weesow-Willmersdorf. This 164-hectare park generates green electricity for 50,000 households.
Werneuchen blends history with modern life. It offers a glimpse into Brandenburg’s past. It is a place where rural landscapes meet historical landmarks. Werneuchen is worth a visit. Its story connects to broader German and European events.