Brandenburg

Brandenburg stands on islands and banks of the Havel, around a stronghold that gave its name to the surrounding march. In 1157 Albert the Bear established his rule here and adopted the title Margrave of Brandenburg. The cathedral community and two towns grew around the old centre: the Old Town and New Town each possessed its own council, market, church and defences.

For centuries the neighbouring towns maintained separate institutions, even as their river location encouraged commerce. The Reformation reached the New Town in 1536 and the Old Town two years later. In 1715 King Frederick William I ordered the two municipalities united as the electoral and chief town of Brandenburg. Their distinct churches and street patterns still showed how the double town had developed on either side of the Havel.