Köthen (Anhalt)

In the heart of Anhalt and less than 25 km away from Bauhaus city Dessau, the former residence of the princes and dukes of the Köthen line is waiting to be discovered. 

The many local sights bear witness to a rich history, spanning from Johann Sebastian Bach to the Fruitbearing Society (Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft). The twin towers of St. Jacob’s, built in 1400 and visible from afar, invite visitors to take a stroll and explore the lovingly restored old town.

There is indeed much to discover in Köthen’s history. For six years, Johann Sebastian Bach lived and worked here as a musical director at the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen. Bach created unforgettable music here, such as the “Brandenburg Concertos”. Looking back, the composer described his time in Köthen as happy years. Bach’s traces can be found everywhere in the city, in the Agnus Church and, of course, in the castle and in its associated museums.

The museums also deal with other important people from Köthen’s history. Since 1835, the Naumann Museum displays the collection of the founder of Central European ornithology, Johann Friedrich Naumann. The “German Language Experience” (Erlebniswelt Deutsche Sprache), also housed in the castle, is the brainchild of the New Fruitbearing Society (Neue Fruchtbringende Gesellschaft). The head of this first Baroque academy for the promotion of the German language was Prince Ludwig of Köthen. Samuel Hahnemann, who lived in Köthen for many years from 1821 onwards and made the town the Mecca of homeopathy, is another widely known personality. His preserved residence, along with an exhibition in the castle and the European Library of Homeopathy, is a magnet for visitors from all over the world. As a city, Köthen easily bridges the gap between tradition and modernity; the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences with its headquarters in Köthen is a good example of this. The former ducal polytechnic, where Hugo Junkers gave courses in avionics, is now more than ever an important asset for the city - students from 100 nations enliven the cityscape.

Whether by bicycle, car or train, Köthen (Anhalt) is near the Bauhaus city Dessau and easy to reach. We look forward to your visit!