In Anno Domini 1301 Peitz was mentioned historically, as Pitzne. In Peitz was a castle where knights lived from 1320 till 1360. Johann the fifth, Markgraf of Neumark, owned our town and the town of Cottbus. He planned to make a fortress in the middle of the 16th century. In 1550 big ponds were built south-east of the town to defend it. To flood the ponds the river “Hammergraben” and a big “Spreewehr” were built. But 1559 the castle got a citadel. The Main part of the old castle is in the general tower of the citadel. In December 1562 construction at the citadel was finished. Between 1590 and 1595 many new parts were built to defend Peitz.
