Friedrichstadt is small, but perfectly formed. The town's 400-year history has given it much we can admire. This idyllic little town was established in 1621 by Duke Friedrich III and by victims of religious persecution from Holland. Friedrichstadt is the Venice of the North, dotted with lots of pretty gabled houses and romantic canals, just like in Amsterdam.Remonstrant church
The Remonstrant church is the only Dutch reform church outside the Netherlands, testimony to the strong Dutch influence on Friedrichstadt. In accordance with Remonstrant tradition, there is no altar. Because the church has no adornments or pictures, the interior appears very modest. The tower rises up to beckon churchgoers in from far and wide.The old synagogue
A Jewish community had lived in Friedrichstadt since the 17th century. The community later acquired the building on the corner of Fürstenburgwall and Binnenhafen to build a synagogue. The same building is now used as a cultural and memorial site for various events. A permanent exhibition recalls the Jews who once lived in the town, very few of whom survived the Holocaust.Market square
The stepped gables you see on the late nineteenth century Dutch merchants' houses have been very well preserved, and adorn the market square of the 'Dutch town'. The fountain in the square is especially appealing, with its Gothic-style housing dating from 1879. Both the old and new town halls are also worth a visit.