Anhalt

Explore a world full of ideas and history

The region, first named „Anhalt“ in 1212, stretches from the Harz mountains to the Fläming hills. Its traditions and its rich history chock-full of groundbreaking achievements in culture, politics, law, garden art, technology and music give the region its unique character.

Up to 1918, Anhalt was a principality, a duchy and a small German state. Interestingly, the territory of the Evangelical Regional Church of Anhalt is almost identical to the former principality. Today, Anhalt is part of the federal state (and proudly featured in the name) of Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt).

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Discover the cities of Anhalt

Visit the former residence towns of Anhalt, enjoy rich cultural offerings, follow the footsteps of important personalities and explore a diverse landscape!

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das Coswiger Schloss an der Elbe

Coswig (Anhalt)

The historic town of Coswig (Anhalt), charmingly set on the Elbe about 15 km to the West of Wittenberg, is only a stones throw away from the Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz on the opposite shore of the river.

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Blick über die Muldebrücke auf den Dessauer Johannbau

Dessau-Roßlau

The town city of Dessau-Roßlau is located 35 km from Wittenberg on the edge of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe, nestled in the riverine landscapes of the Mulde and Elbe with their lush forests and meadows. 

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Gondelfahrt auf dem Wörlitzer See

Wörlitz

The charming little town of Wörlitz, only about 10 km bee-line from Wittenberg in the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe, looks back on over 1000 years of history. Wörlitz rose to fame in the second half of the 18th century through one of the earliest and most beautiful English landscape parks in continental Europe. Today, the heart of the UNESCO-protected Garden Kingdom Dessau-Wörlitz beats just outside the city.

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Schloss Oranienbaum

Oranienbaum

The small town of Oranienbaum lies only 13 km to the east of the Bauhaus city Dessau in the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe. Princess Henriette Catharina of Orange-Nassau turned Oranienbaum, originally a small hamlet in Anhalt called Nischwitz, into what it still is today: a unique gem of Dutch baroque architecture in the middle of Germany.

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Frau im Kostüm von Katharina der Großen sitz an einer langen Tafel im Schloss Zerbst

Zerbst/Anhalt

Between the Elbe and the Fläming, about 20 km from the Bauhaus city Dessau-Roßlau, Zerbst looks back on 1000 years of eventful history. In the first reformed town of Anhalt, Princess Sophie Auguste Friederike von Anhalt-Zerbst, the later Catherine the Great,grew up protected by imposing castle walls. Johann Friedrich Fasch, the court conductor of the time, also helped the town achieve musical fame and glory.

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Herrenbreite in Aschersleben

Aschersleben

Albrecht the Bear, the founder of the principality of Anhalt, had his ancestral seat in Aschersleben, the oldest town in Saxony-Anhalt. On an exciting discovery tour, you will learn why Aschersleben gave the Ascanian dynasty its name.

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Schloss Ballenstedt

Ballenstedt

As the former ancestral seat of the Ascanians (the dynasty of the great Margrave Albrecht the Bear) and the residence of the Dukes of Anhalt-Bernburg, the history of this city has been closely linked to that of Anhalts noble family for over 900 years.

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Stiftskirche St. Cyriakus

Gernrode

The state-recognized resort town of Gernrode on the northern edge of the eastern Harz Mountains, on a charming hill at the foot of the Stubenberg, is famous for the Stiftskirche (abbey church) St. Cyriakus, looking back on over 1,000 years of history. This lovely landmark is visible from quite a distance.

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Harzgerode

Harzgerode

The town of Harzgerode in the middle of the Harz Nature Park comprises 13 districts. The area itself took its name from a small river, the Selke, whose valley boasts a unique flora and fauna. It is often considered one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Germany.

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Made in Anhalt

In the realm of ideas and thought, Anhalt stands for enlightenment, modernity and reformation. Johann Sebastian Bach composed here, Walter Gropius worked on his designs, and Prince Franz created his Garden Kingdom. The later Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great lived in Zerbst. Discover the life stories of these and many other personalities who lived and worked in Anhalt. 

Famous personalities connected with Anhalt

Musical Anhalt

Musicians always appreciated Anhalt, due to its enlightened and generous princes. Johann Sebastian Bach, for example, spent seven happy and productive years in Köthen. Johann Friedrich Fasch made music in Zerbst and the famous composer Kurt Weill was born in Dessau.

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IMPULS Campus at the Bauhaus Dessau as part of the IMPULS Festival for New Music Saxony-Anhalt

A culinary journey

A culinary journey

Coffee, bread and beer from Anhalt

Anhalt is characterized by its rich history of groundbreaking achievements in culture, politics, law, garden arts, technology and music. But Anhalts culinary offerings are also a point of interest. Restaurants, farms and farm stores, breweries, bakeries, regional stores and coffee roasters are waiting for your visit. The tourist information in Anhalt will supply you with tips for culinary excursions and might even have some culinary souvenirs on offer. Many gastronomic establishments place special emphasis on the use of regional products.
Join us on a culinary journey through Anhalt!

Meet and celebrate in Anhalt!

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Stehempfang im Veranstaltungszentrum Köthen

From comprehensively equipped event centers and the amenities of modern conference hotels to the charm of extraordinary venues for an unforgettable family celebration. Anhalt is the perfect place for meetings and celebrations.