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Havelberg for my American friends

This page is for you, my American friend. I created it to briefly show you something from my hometown. Maybe you will visit me in Havelberg – or one of your children will do a school exchange or an internship here in Germany. Let’s start with the schools.

Schools

Havelberg has 3 kindergartens (pre-schools). From grades 1 to 4, children attend elementary school. After that, classes are split into secondary school (grades 5–10) and grammar school (grades 5–12).

For a town with only 5,500 inhabitants, it’s nice to have all schools nearby. We don’t have yellow school buses like in the USA, because many children can walk to school. My children walk 15 minutes. This movement before and after school is healthy – and safe here.

There are also parents who drive their kids to school. I do that too when the weather is bad.

Our schools are located on a hill, and from the upper classrooms you can see across our river “Havel” over the fields into the countryside.

Old Town

The old town is over 1,000 years old and is located on an island in the river. There are 2 car bridges and 2 pedestrian bridges. My children and I live on the island in a house from 1871. That’s typical because in 1870 a major fire destroyed many houses.

1877 was the year the fire department in Havelberg was founded. It is still run by volunteers today. A volunteer fire department is common for German towns up to 20,000 inhabitants. Can you imagine that in America?

1877 and 1715 are the construction years of the two houses I bought to create holiday apartments for guests. Maybe you’ll stay in one of them someday?

On the ground floor is the oldest retail store in town. It’s called “Fritz Kühn” and is now run by the 5th generation. Will there be a 6th? In the “Upper Town” – that’s what we call the largest district on the northern mainland – there are 5 supermarkets.

Restaurants, Cathedral and Nature

Havelberg has numerous restaurants – by German standards – because tourists visit us due to our location. Havelberg is one of the smallest towns that has a cathedral. It’s quite large for its 800 years of existence.

We also have plenty of nature because so few people live here and there’s hardly any industry. You can observe animals that no longer exist elsewhere. For example, on a bike tour. There are numerous cycling routes into nature or boat trips.

In our harbor, there’s a passenger ship that sails into the nature reserve three times a week. You can rent private boats at the marina. Boat tours to Hamburg or Berlin are possible if you have enough time.

Ships have been built in Havelberg for over 300 years. Our shipyard builds very modern vessels with hydrogen propulsion for domestic and international clients. Even exports to the USA have already taken place.

Outdoor Pool

The water quality of the river is good enough that you can swim in it. From the end of May until the Horse Market in early September, our municipal outdoor pool is open. If summer days are cool, the water is heated.

Boat Parade and Horse Market

From the last Saturday in August to the first Sunday in September, the 9-day festival week takes place in Havelberg. The tradition goes back to 1750. It’s the biggest folk festival in the region. Around 200,000 visitors (!) join us during that week.

Boat Parade: The first day is dedicated to water sports and boats. The activities take place around the island and in the harbor.

After a day’s break or relocation to the large festival grounds in Elbstraße, the celebrations begin with over 1,500 traders and shops. Horses, other animals, everyday goods, and lots of historical items are traded. Of course, there’s plenty of food, drinks, rides, and parties. Since 2025, there’s even speed dating at the market, as it was once called a wedding market after World War II.

Opening of the 2025 Horse Market:

German Army

In our town, you’ll find the Elbe-Havel barracks. About 1,300 soldiers are stationed here. So it’s completely normal to see soldiers in uniform in everyday life or while shopping at the supermarket. Short video showing a unit returning from an exercise in Bavaria to Havelberg:

Berlin and the Train to the Airport

A train ride to Berlin takes about 100 minutes. The first 10 minutes are by car or public bus to Glöwen station. From there, the regional express goes right through the German capital.

You could also take this train to Havelberg, as it continues at the other end of Berlin all the way to Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BER).

Statistical Extras

In our town, 92% are Germans (2024). 5 of the remaining 8 percent are Ukrainians who fled to Germany since 2022. Our population is quite homogeneous, and the safety in the city is very high. Nevertheless, we have two police stations in Havelberg – one responsible for the waterways and the other for everything on land.

Unfortunately, the hospital was closed in 2020. But we have an emergency medical station, and when you call an ambulance with a doctor, it will be at your door within 5 to 10 minutes. In urgent cases, for transport to the county hospital, a rescue helicopter is used. That’s luxury compared to America, isn’t it?

What are you interested in when it comes to Germany or specifically Havelberg?

I’d be happy to expand this page.

Do you already know …?

• Activities in Havelberg
• 17 ideas for places to stay in Havelberg
• Wow: Summer concert by the German Army, Hanseatic City and Cathedral Parish here with us