Neuruppin is a town in Brandenburg, Germany, the administrative seat of Ostprignitz-Ruppin district. The name “Fontanestadt” is a tribute to Theodor Fontane, a famous German writer and poet born in Neuruppin in 1819. Fontane is well-known for his works that depict life in 19th-century Prussia, especially his novel “Effi Briest,” which is considered one of the great works of German literature.
Neuruppin is proud of its connection to Fontane, there are monuments, cultural events, and even museums dedicated to Fontane’s life and works.
Neuruppin is also called “the most Prussian of all Prussian towns”. It stems from its deep historical roots in Prussian military and architectural traditions. The town’s history as a garrison dates back to 1688, when it became a significant military center under the reign of the Great Elector, Frederick William of Brandenburg. Neuruppin’s status as a garrison town and its Neoclassical architecture contribute to its image as a quintessentially Prussian town, embodying the discipline, order, and historical continuity that were hallmarks of the Prussian state.