Ribbeck Manor House

Theodor Fontane's poem about the pear tree has made the small town of Ribbeck famous – and with it the whole of the Havelland region: “Landmarks, castles, palaces, cathedrals are reflected in your waters”, he wrote. He dedicated lengthy writings to the landscape and towns along the River Havel – not least the famous poem about the Squire of Ribbeck and his pears.

The poem has been part of the school curriculum for generations, making the small village famous throughout Germany. Although Fontane never visited Ribbeck himself and the famous pear tree fell victim to a storm in 1911, there is still a lot in the village which revolves around pears and the poem, and therefore Fontane, too.

The imposing neo-Baroque palace dominates the historic village centre. Once the residence of the von Ribbeck family, the building now houses a multiple-award-winning restaurant, a café garden and elegant event rooms where glittering celebrations and top-class chamber concerts are held.

On the occasion of Theodor Fontane's 200th birthday on May 1, 2019, the Fontane Museum was opened at Ribbeck Palace. Here, state-of-the-art museum technology is used to convey the connections between Fontane, his century, Ribbeck and the history of the palace. This has turned the palace into quite a tourist attraction within the Havelland region.