Map of Germany showing Brandenburg

Brandenburg an der Havel is a town in the state of Brandenburg, Germany. It is located on the banks of the Havel river. Population: 75,145 (June 30, 2004).

Although the town of Brandenburg is less known than the state of Brandenburg, the state was named after the town and not vice versa. Today it is a small town, but once it was the origin of the realms of Brandenburg and Prussia.

The castle of Brandenburg, which had been a Slavic fortress Branibor (Branim's forest), was conquered in 929 by king Henry the Fowler. The town remained German only until 983, when a Slavic rebellion was successful. In the next 170 years the area was ruled by Slavic princes of the Hevelles tribe. The last of them, Pribislav, died in 1150. Afterwards Albert I settled here and became the first margrave of Brandenburg. The town was restricted to the western bank of the Havel until 1196, when it was extended to the eastern side. The parts on either side of the river were regarded as two different towns (Old and New Brandenburg) for centuries.

In 1314 (resp. 1315) the two towns joined the Hanseatic League. In the Thirty Years' War the towns suffered plundering and destruction; this led to a loss of power; Potsdam became the new capital, and the court left the town of Brandenburg. In 1715 the two halves of the town were merged at last to a common town.

Sights

• Cathedral Sts. Peter and Paul (1165)
• Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine, 1401)
• Brandenburg town hall (about 1470)
• Medieval city wall with four watchtowers

See also: Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

External links

• Official Website: http://www.stadt-brb.de/