Neustrelitz
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Neustrelitz.jpg
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Neustrelitz is a town in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. It is the capital of the district of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Population: 24,500 (1999).
The village of Strelitz was first time mentioned in 1278. It grew to a small town in the following centuries. In the 17th century Strelitz was a part of the duchy of Mecklenburg-Güstrow, which ceased to exist after the death of the last duke in 1695. Afterwards the new duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was established (1701). This small duchy contained the present-day district and an exclave around Ratzeburg, which is today situated in Schleswig-Holstein.
In 1712 the castle and the town of Strelitz burnt down. After this disaster the duke and his family lived on their hunting lodge at the lake called Zierker See to the northwest of Strelitz. Around this place the new town of Neustrelitz was constructed. It became the official capital of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in 1736.
In 1919 the duchy became a state, and in 1934 it was merged with the duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin to the "Gau" of Mecklenburg.
The ancient town of Strelitz continued to exist after the fire of 1712; it was a small village, which was suburbanised by Neustrelitz in 1931.
The castle of Neustrelitz was destroyed during World War II, but the castle gardens still exist. The city centre is characterised by Baroque architecture.