Bassewitzfest Kyritz

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Entries in the Council Bible
Defeat of the robber baron Bassewitz on a 1921 banknote
Kyritz fountain with market women, in the background knight Bassewitz emerging from the ground

The Bassewitzfest goes back to the annual day of remembrance on the Monday after Invocavit of a siege that was survived in 1381.

In the Kyritz tradition, the two sieges survived in 1381 and 1411 are related to the robber baron Kurt von Bassewitz from Mecklenburg . The oldest currently known testimony are two entries in the so-called Kyritz Council Bible, which probably date from the 17th century. In them, however, there is no mention of a von Bassewitz or the foundation of a celebration of thanks.

To this day, the anniversary is held by the Kyritz Church. After the service, round pieces (large rolls) and Hedwecken (white pastries) are distributed.

A stone cross is shown on the city wall, which is said to refer to the siege.

Theodor Fontane writes: On March 4, 1381 von Bassewitz moved in front of Kyritz and stormed the city. And lo and behold, the walls had already been climbed when the bourgeoisie came together again to desperate resistance and in one sortie repulsed and defeated the enemy. But this consoled himself, "that an angel stood on the wall and shamed earthly strength and bravery" And in the note: This 1381 event falls in the tradition with an attack that took place just thirty years later, also by an attack by Bassewitz Kyritz together. This second von Bassewitz, who remembered the storm so bravely repulsed by the citizens in 1381, decided this time to penetrate the city by means of an underground passage. It happened, however, that a serious criminal was sitting in the city tower, he heard the rooting and knocking and reported to the mayor that he would discover something important for him if his life was given. That was admitted. And now the prisoner told of the digging and digging that he had heard in the deep. To be on the safe side, a drum was brought in and peas were sprinkled on it. Then they began to jump back and forth from the tremors caused by the underground work. Now one was safe, and when soon afterwards von Bassewitz, instead of in the church, as his plan had been, emerged in the open market place, he was captured, disarmed and executed with his own sword. The sword and armor are in the town hall until this day, while the city itself celebrates its double Bassewitz Festival every year on the Monday after Invocavit.

Web links