The castle that gives Burg Stargard its name rises from a volcanic hill above the town, visible for miles across the flat Mecklenburg plain. The complex is remarkably intact: the keep, surrounding curtain walls, several towers, and a Romanesque chapel have all survived the centuries, making it one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in northeastern Germany. A small museum inside traces the history of the castle and the surrounding duchy.
The climb from the town market square takes about fifteen minutes on a well-signed path. At the top, the views sweep over the Tollensesee lake and the forests and farmland that stretch toward Neubrandenburg to the north. The castle was built by the Margraves of Brandenburg in the 13th century as a frontier fortress — this was the edge of German-colonised territory, with Slavic lands beyond. Admission is modest and includes entry to the museum and falconry area.