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Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

Make the most of your time in Saxony-Anhalt, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

The state of Saxony-Anhalt came into existence as recently as 1990 coinciding with the fall of communism and the breakdown of the Berlin wall. It had originally been introduced to the country in 1947 but once the Soviet system took over the newly formed region took a back seat for the subsequent 43 years, as was the case with all the East German states. Before its period of recent history, the region has seen a number of top musicians, poets and theologians pass through its boundaries, including the likes of George Frederic Handel and Martin Luther among others.

Saxony-Anhalt is situated in central Germany and shares a border with Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. Its capital is Magdeburg, although the largest city in terms of population is Halle. The total population of the state as a whole, meanwhile, is approximately 2.5 million. The rivers Elbe and Saale work their way through the state of Saxony-Anhalt, while there are also the Harz Mountains which culminate in the 1,141 metre-high Brocken peak.
Significantly, the town of Wittenberg in the east of the region marks the cradle of the Reformation. It was here that Martin Luther, in 1517, nailed his 95 theses onto the door of the Schlosskirche in the town, protesting against the Catholic sale of indulgences, shedding light onto the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone and holding to the notion of the infallibility of the Bible. And it was this important event which began the re-shaping of Christianity into its biblical form.

European culture in engrained into Saxony-Anhalt; the state is home to four UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as a number of impressive castles, churches, palaces and gardens. Firstly, the Quedlinburg Old Town features the former residence of Otto I, founder of the Holy Roman Empire. Next, the towns of Wittenburg and Eisleben double up as a further heritage site due to their historic role in the Reformation. Thirdly, the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom is another of the sites; while finally, the Bauhaus in Dessau serves as the fourth such site designed by UNESCO.  

Saxony-Anhalt has produced a number of composers, theologians and other big names in years gone by. George Frederic Handel was born in the city of Halle and Georg Philipp Telemann was born in regional capital Magdeburg. As already mentioned, Wittenburg was the place where Martin Luther rose to fame, while Otto I once lived in Quedlinburg.

Some of the major tourist areas include Altmark, Anhalt-Wittenburg, Elbe-Börde Heath, Halle-Saale-Unstrut and Harz. Here visitors will find the likes of the Romanesque Road with its 72 monuments, the Querfurt Castle, the Blue Ribbon waterway, the 40 parks of Garden Dreams and the Sky Disc of the heavens. In all, the region of Saxony-Anhalt offers visitors the ideal chance to explore something of its history and its culture and to enjoy a break within its boundaries.
 

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