Thirty thousand tons of beer annually. That’s Bernau’s legacy. Bernau bei Berlin isn’t just a town. It’s a testament to resilience a story etched in stone and beer. Founded perhaps as early as 7000 BC settlements existed long before the official founding. Legend whispers of Albrecht the Bear a prince who founded Bernau in 1140 because of exceptionally good beer. This is just a legend. Documentary evidence is lacking. Archaeological finds prove settlements existed much earlier.
But Bernau’s story isn’t just about legends. It’s about survival. The town thrived in the Middle Ages. Its beer was renowned throughout the Mark Brandenburg. This beer was exceptional boasting a long shelf life and delicious taste. The 17th century saw annual exports of an astonishing thirty thousand tons. Fires in 1406 and 1484 destroyed all documents. We know little about those early years.
Tragedy struck. The plague in 1598 claimed over 1100 lives. The Thirty Years’ War followed leaving Bernau impoverished and desolate. Frederick III saved Bernau. He brought in twenty-five Huguenot families. Craftsmen farmers traders and scientists they revitalized the town.
The arrival of the railroad in 1842 marked another turning point. The Berlin-Eberswalde line connected Bernau to the world. In 1924 a city express line from Berlin solidified its importance. Despite World War II’s proximity Bernau was largely spared. The Red Army captured it in April 1945.
The 1980s brought a different kind of challenge. Many half-timbered houses were in dire need of repair. Renovation proved too costly. The city administration opted for demolition. Prefabricated buildings replaced them changing Bernau’s skyline.
Today Bernau stands as a unique blend of old and new. Its medieval walls and towers remain. The Powder Tower a 29-meter-high structure still bears witness to Bernau’s defensive past. The Stone Gate and the Hunger Tower reminders of sieges and imprisonment. The Hangman’s House now houses a museum showcasing Bernau’s history. Even the Mill Gate stands rebuilt after an 1885 demolition. Visit Bernau and taste its rich history. Explore its story in every cobblestone. Let its breweries and museums tell you more about this fascinating town.