Nostalgia in Templin: The forgotten history of the Schulungsburg”

Nostalgia in Templin: The forgotten history of the Schulungsburg”

The history of Templin is rich in changes and memories, and that is why the city and its impressive buildings still move the minds of residents and visitors today. The latest example is the historical photo that was presented as part of the “Historical Guckkasten”. You can see Kantstrasse, formerly known as Kirsteinstrasse, from the perspective of Werderstrasse. This insightful photo comes from the estate of the well-known Templin author Siegfried Breyer, who has published several books about the city and its history. Nordkurier reports that the map shown shows the former Reformrealprogymnasium, which many Templiners knew as the “school castle”.

Ute Schröder, a native of Templin, remembers her late husband, who passionately collected postcards with motifs from the city. The “Schulungsburg” was not only a place of learning, but also a center for home economics courses for girls. The place shows how complex Templin's past is. Hermann Degen still has vivid memories of the building serving as a hospital during the war in 1944. This fact is also confirmed by Margit Dura, who knows the tragic history of the house.

The Saint Georgen Hospital

The listed building is located near the former training castle Saint George's Hospital, which has been through a lot since it was built in the late 14th century. It is the oldest surviving building in the city and has survived countless city fires and use as a horse stable during the Napoleonic Wars. The chapel, the heart of the former hospital, was only saved from decay in the 19th century by the superintendent Johann Gottfried Niedlich. It is now used by the Templin Protestant parish after it was restored between 1862 and 1866.

The hospital chapel impresses with its impressive architecture and historical furniture from the time of its reopening. Particularly noteworthy is the late Gothic carved altar, which is decorated with figures of Saint George and other notable saints. The adjacent garden of the former cemetery now takes on the role of a recreational area. Templin.de emphasizes that the city has been revitalized again and again through various programs in recent decades.

The change and the challenges

The bombing of Templin on March 6, 1944 claimed 215 lives and destroyed around 60 percent of the city center. This dark period left its mark and led to a long process of reconstruction. In the years that followed, numerous renovation measures were carried out, which have helped the city regain some of its historical flair today. Templin is valued not only for its history, but also for its transformation into a popular resort. Above all, the newly discovered saline thermal springs support this development and help the city to flourish again.

The citizens of Templin, including Bernd Koennemann, are actively involved and are committed to the renovation and preservation of their city. Events like the “Guckkasten” show that interest in Templin’s history remains unbroken. Whether Horst Schüssler from Minden or Templin residents like Joachim Krämer and Edeltraud Schilm, who know old stories and appreciate their city's beauty, they all contribute to ensuring that Templin's deep-rooted history is not forgotten.