Open the brandenburg left menu. Brandenburg land (German

In this article, you will learn:

Brandenburg is the land of Germany. It is a federal state located in the east of the country around Berlin. Most of it occupies the western part of the lowland of the Oder River. Currently, Potsdam is considered its capital.

History of origin

Until the seventh century AD, the territory of Brandenburg was occupied by Germanic settlements. A little later, it was settled by Slavic tribes (Hevells), which were farmers, hunters and fishermen. But at the beginning of the tenth century, the Germans forced them to pay a tribute that was beyond their power. Rebellions began, which were never crowned with success, and in 1157 the Margrave of Brandenburg was created. Albrecht Medved is the first margrave, whose reign was marked by the rapid development of the territory. At this time, the construction of new cities began, agriculture flourished, and new crafts were developing.

From 1356 Brandenburg became an Elector with more rights and opportunities. Since 1415, the Hohenzollern dynasty began to rule over it, strengthening and elevating it. From the sixteenth century, Prussia was annexed to Brandenburg, and Berlin was proclaimed the capital. At this moment, the time of numerous wars came, which caused enormous damage, from 1618 to 1648 the population decreased by more than ninety percent. The further reign of Friedrich Wilhelm made it possible to begin the revival of the earth. The French Huguenots, Dutch and Swiss moved here, which contributed to the restoration of the economy and the development of trade relations. Subsequent rulers continued this endeavor and by 1786 Prussia, of which Brandenburg was at that time, had acquired a large political power in Europe. By the nineteenth century, it became the center of all of Germany, which contributed to the active development of Berlin.

During the Second World War, the territory of modern Brandenburg was badly damaged. In addition, the Potsdam Agreement of 1945 deprived him of almost one third of the area that was given to Poland. The rest of the land went to the German Democratic Republic, then was divided into three districts. Only forty-five years later did the connection of Potsdam, Cottbus and Frankfurt take place. October 3, 1990 is the date of the appearance of the new Brandenburg.

Coat of arms of the state of Brandenburg

Landscape

Of greatest interest to guests who come to the Brandenburg land is its nature, most of which has been preserved in its original form. On its territory there are eleven nature reserves and three reserves (protected natural area), here is also one of the national parks.

Brandenburg is located in a flat area, a third of which is occupied by very well-groomed pine forests with frequent birch plantings and clean air. Here you can see wild animals, as well as a huge amount of mushrooms, because the Germans do not collect them.

Another value of the land is a huge number of crystal clear rivers, magnificent lakes and reservoirs. Locals and guests of Brandenburg make many exciting excursions every day on a wide variety of types of water transport (yachts, motor ships, kayaks and pedal boats). The Spreewald, which is a nature reserve near Berlin, is especially popular with tourists. More than two million guests come to this picturesque place every year.

Spreewald

Cities

The most famous cities in the land include:

Potsdam, which is its capital. Here you can visit the Sanssouci Park with a huge botanical garden and a number of historical sites. A visit to the Orangery Palace or the Roman Baths will be interesting. Among the architectural monuments of ancient architecture are the Nauen and Brandenburg gates, which adorn the entrances to the city from the north and east. You should also take a walk along the Gliniki Bridge;
Frankfurt an der Oder is a small city that was badly damaged during the Second World War and was practically rebuilt. Nevertheless, several famous architectural monuments have survived here, which are represented by the Eastern University, the Church of St. Mary, the Church of St. Nicholas and the three-dimensional house;
Eberswalde is known for a number of interesting bronze sculptures and unusual museums;
Cottbus is one of the largest cities in Brandenburg and has a huge number of attractions. These include city squares, Gothic churches (for example, Wendenkirche), palaces, theaters, museums. The most beautiful and one of the most famous places in the city is the park area, which was designed by Prince Pückler-Muskau. It is decorated with a magnificent lake on which an island with an Egyptian-like pyramid is located. It is the burial place of the prince;
Leipzig is the main musical city of Brandenburg with excellent opera and interesting museums highlighting the work of the greatest composers.

City of Cottbus

Popular tourist destinations

In addition to contemplating the natural splendor of Brandenburg and catching gorgeous fish, the attention of tourists is attracted by objects of historical and cultural value. They are represented by old palaces and manors, which were designed by the architects of Prussia, ancient churches and town halls, decorated with intricate towers. Most of them are located in Cottbus.

City of Potsdam

It will be interesting to visit local parks, for example, the Babelsberg cinema park, which is considered to be the local Holiwood, or the Biosphere tropical park.

At the Babelsberg cinema

The porcelain exhibition housed in an eighteenth-century Chinese teahouse in Potsdam will be a delight. Dresden is famous for the most beautiful dairy shop in the world, a magnificent zoo and a huge number of historical values.

Brandenburg hosts a variety of music festivals and cultural events that attract many tourists. Reinsberg and Sanssouci are the leaders in their implementation.

(function (w, d, n, s, t) (w [n] = w [n] ||; w [n] .push (function () (Ya.Context.AdvManager.render ((blockId: "RA -220137-3 ", renderTo:" yandex_rtb_R-A-220137-3 ", async: true));)); t = d.getElementsByTagName (" script "); s = d.createElement (" script "); s .type = "text / javascript"; s.src = "//an.yandex.ru/system/context.js"; s.async = true; t.parentNode.insertBefore (s, t);)) (this , this.document, "yandexContextAsyncCallbacks");

Brandenburg

city on V. Germany. Mentioned in 948 G. like Brendanburg (Brendanburg) on behalf of Brendan and burg "fortified city", i.e. "brandan city"... Luzhitsk. The Slavs called him Branibof - Branibor or Branny Bor.

Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. - M: AST... Pospelov E.M. 2001.

Brandenburg

(Brandenburg), 1) historical region on V. Germany... Wednesday century - one of the principalities that developed during the conquest of the lands of the Polabian Slavs by the German feudal lords; the expansion of land continued until the 13th century. In 1356, the rights of the electors were assigned to the margraves of B., in 1415 the Hohenzollern dynasty was established here, and Berlin became their residence in 1486. At the beginning of the 17th century. new territories were annexed, incl. Prussia; in 1701 the Brandenburg-Prussian kingdom was formed, and the further history of Byelorussia merges with the history of Prussia;
2) city on V. Germany, 50 km west of Berlin; port on the banks of the river. Havel, a tributary of the Elbe. Founded ca. 1170 on the site of the destroyed in 927-928. Slavic town of Branibor. 76 thousand inhabitants (2002). Production of steel and rolling, machine, text., Sewing, food. and other prom-st. Gothic church of Katarina (XIV-XVI centuries). Here I.-S. Bach.

Dictionary of modern place names. - Yekaterinburg: U-Factoria. Under the general editorship of Acad. V. M. Kotlyakova. 2006 .

Brandenburg

Brandenburg - federal state of Germany (cm. Germany), located in the northwest of the country. In the north, Brandenburg borders with Mecklenburg - Western Pomerania, in the west - with Lower Saxony (cm. Lower Saxony) and Saxony-Anhalt (cm. Saxony-Anhalt), in the south - with Saxony (cm. Saxony), in the east - with Poland. Berlin is located on the territory of Brandenburg. The capital of Brandenburg is Potsdam. Population - 2.651 million people (2003). Land area - 29,479 sq. km.
In ancient times, Slavic tribes lived on the territory of Brandenburg, one of which is the most famous - the Sorbs, whose tradition and culture have survived to this day. Brandenburg is one of the centers of the formation of German statehood. Already in 1157, Albrecht Medved began to call himself "Margrave of Brandenburg". In 1640, Frederick William the Great of the Hohenzollern dynasty became the ruler of the largest elector of Germany. Brandenburg remained until that time a sparsely populated and underdeveloped region, in order to raise the economy, Friedrich-Wilhelm invited immigrants from Holland, Czech Republic and France, most of whom were Protestants. By the Edict of Potsdam in 1685, they received freedom of religion. The heyday of Prussia is associated with the name of Frederick II, whose residence was Potsdam. Potsdam played an important role in the end of the Second World War.

Brandenburg is an important agricultural and forestry region in Germany. Forests cover 35% of the land. The main crops are wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, vegetables and fruits. The main industrial centers are Eisenhuettenstadt (steel industry), Cottbus (brown coal mining), Ludwigsfelde (production of Mercedes-Benz trucks), Frankfurt an der Oder instrumentation).

Cultural and nature tourism is well developed in Brandenburg. A large number of historical and architectural monuments are concentrated in Potsdam. Of greatest interest are the palaces and estates of Brandenburg, of which there are more than 350. In Branitz, you can visit the museum of Prince Pückler - Muskau. Numerous tourists are attracted by the Brandenburg's forest rivers, canals and lakes - an ideal place for lovers of water travel. There are many parks, nature reserves and biosphere reserves, including in the Elbe floodplain, Schorfheide, Spreewald. On the Oder-Havel canal, you can find an interesting structure - the world's largest ship lift, with the help of which ships can rise to a height of 36 m.

Brandenburg is a small town that gave its name to the entire federal state. Population - 76.2 thousand people (2003). Located on the highway Frankfurt an der Oder - Berlin - Magdeburg. Large industrial center. The main attraction of the city is the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul (Dom st. Peter und Paul), located on the cathedral island (Dominsel). The cathedral was built at the beginning of the 13th century as a late Romanesque three-aisled basilica, rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century in the Gothic style, restored in 1998. In the crypt of 1235, there is a memorial erected in memory of the clergy executed by the Nazis.
In the area of the New Town (Neuestadt), the Church of St. Catherine (Katharienenkirche), built of baked bricks in the 14-15th centuries, has been preserved. The church is rightfully considered one of the best examples of North German Gothic; the interior decoration is especially striking. Another monument of the 15th century is the Old Town Hall (Altstaedtisches Rathaus), in front of which there is a statue of Roland with a height of almost 6 m (1474). The town hall of the new town (Neustaedtisches Rathaus) was built in the 15th century, rebuilt in 1720.

Frankfurt an der Oder is located 70 km east of Berlin, on the border with Poland. Population - 77.2 thousand people (2003). Tourists who travel to Germany from Russia by train usually pass through Frankfurt an der Oder. The city was badly damaged during the Second World War, and was later rebuilt. Among the surviving monuments, the Church of Our Lady (Marienkirche), built in 1253-1524, should be noted. in the gothic style. This main temple in Frankfurt an der Oder was destroyed in 1945 and is currently being rebuilt.
Around 1300, the church of the Franciscan monastery was built - the Church of St. Nicholas (Nikolaikirche), after reconstruction in the 16th century, it received Renaissance features. Currently, the church houses a concert hall with an old organ. Among other sights of the city, the house of the writer Heinrich von Kleist (Kleist Gedenk und Forschungstaette), located in a baroque building from 1777, deserves attention.

Cyril and Methodius Encyclopedia of Tourism. 2008 .

Synonyms:

See what "Brandenburg" is in other dictionaries:

I (Brandenburg), land in the east of Germany. 29.5 thousand km2. Population 2.5 million (1995). Administrative center Potsdam. In the center of Brandenburg is the capital of Germany, Berlin, separated into a separate administrative unit with the rights ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

A city in Germany, the land of Brandenburg, a port on the river. Havel. 95 thousand inhabitants (1988). Metallurgy, light industry, food industry, mechanical engineering. Founded ca. 1170. Buildings from the 13th to 15th centuries. Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Brandenburg- (Brandenburg), germ, principality, core of the future kingdom of Prussia. From the 12th century. the Germans began to conquer the Slavs and tribes that lived here. The Margrave (founded about 1157) took its name. from the city of B., located to 3. from Berlin. In 1356 according to the Golden Bull ... The World History

Brandenburg, a count officer of the Prussian army, uncle of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm, was known as a dull and narrow-minded aristocrat. Being an ardent reactionary, he took an active part in the preparation of the coup d'etat in 1848 on November 2 ... 1000 biographies

Sush., Number of synonyms: 2 city (2765) land (106) ASIS synonym dictionary. V.N. Trishin. 2013 ... Synonym dictionary

This term has other meanings, see Brandenburg (disambiguation). Brandenburg Brandenburg Germany Flag ... Wikipedia

I Brandenburg Nikolai Efimovich, Russian archaeologist and military historian, lieutenant general (1896). Member of the Russian Turkish War of 1877 78. From 1872 until the end of his life he was in charge of the Artillery ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Brandenburg- Count, officer of the Prussian army, uncle of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm, was known as a stupid and narrow-minded aristocrat. Being an ardent reactionary, he took an active part in the preparation of the coup d'état in 1848, November 2, 1848 ... ... Historical reference book of the Russian Marxist

Traveling through the cities around Berlin on my own allowed me to see the sights of Brandenburg, see the cathedral and old churches, find out where you can eat in Brandenburg inexpensively; to find out more, read the report on the trip to Brandenburg from Berlin

The Brandenburg Gate has probably been seen by everyone who has been to Berlin, but how many had a chance to visit Brandenburg itself? The question, I think, is rhetorical, because the city is not very popular with tourists. But we are talking about a place that in the Middle Ages was one of the most important political centers of the Holy Roman Empire. After all, the history of Brandenburg begins when Berlin was not even in the project ...

I suppose while lovers of the current capital of Germany are bitterly arguing in what year Berlin was founded, and while some call 1244, while others insist on the number 1237, the inhabitants of Brandenburg grin maliciously, because the first mention of their city dates back to the beginning of the 10th century AD ... True, then it was about the Slavic settlement of Brennaburg, whose name most likely came from the Slavic word "bran", that is, "quagmire". The name was changed in a new way after the conquest of the territory by the king of Saxony Heinrich the Poultry and the Germanization of the population during the implantation of the Catholic faith.

The city gradually grew, but for the time being its old core was isolated from the new district, until in 1715 they were united by a royal decree. And the island, on which the Brandenburg Cathedral and the bishop's residence are located, generally became part of the city since 1929.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Brandenburg was the seat of the dukes and the capital of the huge Brandenburg Mark. To facilitate trade, the city joined the Hanseatic League and flourished until the beginning of the Thirty Years' War. The hostilities and massive robberies undertaken by the armies of the opposing sides reduced its population several times, finally finishing Brandenburg with the rise of Berlin's upstart. The provincial Potsdam suddenly became the residence of the Prussian kings - well, is that fair ?!

The industrial upsurge of the era of the industrial revolution gradually returned the standard of living to Brandenburg, but the local residents had to forget about the former political weight. Now it is a fairly quiet town, whose population barely exceeds 70 thousand inhabitants. But the atmosphere of the past has been preserved here, and the sights of Brandenburg are of considerable interest.

Traveling from Berlin to Brandenburg does not require large expenses: although the prices for travel in Germany are quite high, you can use the regional Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket for your voyage. This travel card, which costs 29 euros, allows you to travel without restrictions on electric trains throughout the federal state. Considering how many passengers a Brandenburg-Berlin-Ticket can carry - and companies of up to five people are allowed - it turns out that in the best case, the costs will be less than 6 euros per brother. In a word, the costs are low, and it will take a little time to travel from Berlin to Brandenburg on your own, about an hour.

Since the Brandenburg station is completely unremarkable, it is better to leave it immediately behind. Then there will be a local tram stop in front of you and the Kleine Gartenstrass e. But I would advise you to move along the parallel Gross e Gartenstrass e, the one on the left: it leads directly to the first attraction of Brandenburg. You can, of course, go to the old town and by tram, but I believe that walking is the best way to get to know a new place. Here you can return by transport ...

As I recall, there is a billboard on the forecourt with a map of Brandenburg, and it would be good to remember it if it was not possible to download the diagram from the Internet. The fact is that the Brandenburg tourist information office is located in the very center of the city, on the Neustadtischer Markt, and you can still get there without a map. In a word, having a plan of the area will make life much easier ...

So, I set off and after a short time came out to an intersection, to the right of which there was an embankment decorated with a large medieval tower. This is Steintorturm, which once served as one of the most important strongholds for the defenders of the city. True, even historians cannot say for sure whether she participated in the battles. However, what to take from them, the eggheads: they even know the date of construction of the tower only approximately - it seems like it was 1380 then. What is known for certain is that the building from the 15th to the 17th century was used to keep prisoners. Now the interior of the Steintorturm is occupied by a branch of the city museum, and on the top floor there is an observation deck, from where, in good weather, you can observe the panorama of Brandenburg.

A cloudy day, unfortunately, did not allow me to enjoy the views from above, and all I could do was photograph the embankments of the city canal, which looked pretty good even under the snow. Note that from the old fortifications of Brandenburg there are three more towers left. I saw two of them, and the Plauert orturm on Klosterstrasse didn't make much of an impression on me: it is almost completely devoid of decor and looks rustic. The 17-meter hulk was erected in the Middle Ages, at least until the beginning of the sixteenth century - this is known because historical documents indicate the beginning of the reconstruction of the tower. Alas, today Plauert orturm is in a sad, in fact, emergency condition and its fate seems vague.

What you really need to see in Brandenburg is the Rathenower etorturm, a very interesting design. It has retained its original appearance, and thanks to this circumstance, we can now understand what the ancient fortifications of a typical German city looked like. The tower is decorated in abundance with decorative elements, so it is a pleasure to shoot. In the Middle Ages, Rathenover Torturm covered the core of the city from the northwest, and in order to explore it, you have to go to the very edge of the historic center, where the main attractions of Brandenburg are located, to Wallstrass e. However, it's definitely worth it ...

And before getting to know the beautiful tower, I was able to see several objects at once that can be seen in Brandenburg. At first I came across the Church of the Holy Trinity, built in the 19th century and which at that time became the first Catholic churches built on the territory of Brandenburg after the religious wars of the Reformation era. Throughout the 17th century, masses on the territory of the principality were generally prohibited, and only under Frederick William I the restrictions for Catholics were somewhat weakened. But the adherents of the Pope still could not get permission for the construction of the temple for more than a hundred years.

The building of the church, erected in the period from 1849 to 1851, the architect tried to give a medieval look, and he succeeded. The appearance of the church could have been even more picturesque, but during the Second World War, the Dreifaltigkeitskirche was badly damaged and restored in a somewhat simplified form, which is why it diminished a certain amount of its charm.

From Neusta dtische Heidestrass e, where I examined the Church of the Holy Trinity, it was very close to the next attraction of Brandenburg, the largest of the city's temples. The Katharinenkirche was erected in 1401, six years after an event that stirred up the entire city: the previous building for the same purpose suddenly collapsed. The author of the new project was the architect Heinrich Brunsberg, who managed to turn his brainchild into a pearl of North German architecture. In addition to its beautiful view, the church of St. Catherine is famous for its size, a 70-meter-high tower and rich interior decoration, including an altar, created already in 1474.

When I got to the Neustadtischer Markt, where you can take a map of Brandenburg, since it is there that the local tourist office is located, I spent several minutes wondering where to go. On the one hand, a walk to the northeast brought me to the cathedral, but on the other, the northwest attracted me with its historical core. I still preferred to go to see the old town, and along the snow-covered Hauptstrass e I went to the embankment of the Havel River. Nice panoramas opened from the bridge, and I immediately noticed the church on the left side. It was the church of St. John, and, coming closer to the next landmark of Brandenburg, it was hard not to wonder why such an old and pretty building is so neglected. Indeed, Johanniskirche was built in 1240, shortly after a Franciscan monastery appeared in the city. The monks were initially pleased with their new church, but after 170 years they decided to rebuild it. After the completion of the work, the city embankment was adorned with an imposing building with a beautiful bell tower, very harmoniously blended into the landscape. And everything would be fine if not politics: the fighting of the Second World War greatly damaged the church of St. John, and during the existence of the GDR, the authorities did not have money to repair it, so there was even talk about the demolition of the ancient landmark of Brandenburg. The zealots of history defended the building, but since funds in the city treasury are still sparse, the project for its restoration has been postponed for the time being.

After going a little further from the bridge, I soon turned right and came to Altsta dtischer Markt, the ancient heart of the city. There, I was immediately struck by the old Brandenburg Town Hall, an excellent example of Gothic architecture. It was built in the middle of the 15th century, and about a couple of decades after the completion of the work, a huge tower was added to the building. The facade of the town hall is decorated with numerous decorative elements, coats of arms and figures, which give it an extremely picturesque look. The unique ensemble is complemented by a statue of the knight Roland, erected in 1474 - this is how medieval cities in Germany usually celebrated the freedom and privileges of self-government. The figure, more than five meters high, traditionally holds a sword in its hands, symbolizing the willingness to defend the rights of residents.

Naturally, from time immemorial, the town hall was occupied by officials of the local administration, who moved to a new location only at the beginning of the 20th century. The Gothic building then existed for a long time in the status of an architectural monument, but in 2007 it was restored and re-equipped, after which it was again occupied by the Brandenburg City Hall.

Having finished filming the area and the surrounding buildings, I, guided by the map, walked a little to the northeast to get to the Church of St. Gotthard. This is not just an object that can be seen in Brandenburg, it is actually a visiting card of the city, and if a silhouette of a temple appears on the cover of a Brandenburg guidebook or local postcards, then with a probability of 80 percent it will be an image of Gotthardtkirche.

The first religious building appeared on the edge of the historic center of Brandenburg in 1140, but by the 15th century, there were literally horns and legs from it, so the townspeople decided to build a new version of the church. It was decorated in the architectural fashion of the time, that is, in the Gothic manner. Why in 1767 the builders added a baroque bell tower to the appearance of the temple is perhaps not clear to anyone, but since society reacted favorably to such a symbiosis, everything remained as it is. Moreover, when at the beginning of the 20th century it was necessary to raise money for the restoration of the Gotthardtkirche, the subscription went really well.

If I liked the sights of Brandenburg in the Altstadt area, the neighborhoods themselves made a depressing impression. Every now and then I noticed the shabby walls of houses, the windows clogged with boards and other signs of trouble. The frost, which often covered the sidewalks, did not improve the mood. In a word, I tried to set sail as quickly as possible, especially since the island where the Brandenburg Cathedral is located was waiting for me.

Without exaggeration, this huge building is a contemporary of German statehood: it was laid in 1165, just 8 years after the formation of the Brandenburg Mark, which became one of the key lands of the Holy Roman Empire, which then grew into the Prussian Kingdom, which turned into the German Empire.

Initially, the cathedral bore pronounced features of the Romanesque style, but only a few fragments of the temple have survived to this day, which was rebuilt according to a new project, giving it a typical Gothic look. The construction plans provided for the construction of two majestic towers, but only one rose above the city, and even that until the 17th century was wooden.

Now the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul looks very beautiful, especially from the side of the river, and I recommend approaching it not from the center, from the side of the turofis, but along the right bank of the Havel, leaving the old town along Mu hlentorstrass e.

While exploring the Brandenburg Dom, you can also drop by the Cathedral Museum, which has a decent collection of religious art, including medieval tapestries and altars. And I also recommend visiting such an amusing sight of Brandenburg as the chapel of St. James, standing on the Wredowplatz. It was built in 1320 outside the city walls, as it was intended to comfort the sick of the local hospital, and the medieval people tried to keep the sick away from themselves. So, the chapel with a 15-meter spire quietly huddled near the hospital and lived for itself, did not grieve, but in 1892, during the laying of the highway, it had to be moved 11 meters to the side, and therefore it received the nickname "shifted" among the townspeople ...

Now let's move on from spiritual food to our daily bread. Places where you can eat in the center of Brandenburg are inexpensive, I found several at once. The best option in all respects, it seems to me, is "Kartoffelka fer" at 56 Steinstrasse. This pleasant and welcoming restaurant is decorated in a typical German spirit, with antique-style chairs and tables complemented by wood wall panels. The menu is filled with Prussian cuisine. Many of them make the list of what the guide recommends to try in Berlin, but here they are much cheaper. As an example, I will give the prices from the bill: Brandenburg venison cost 12.95 euros, salad went for 5.95 euros, for coffee they took 2.95 euros.

I also remember the local bakeries and pastry shops, ready to treat guests with fresh pastries. Some points were located right on the main streets, but they kept prices quite reasonable. For example, the Steinecke, located between the New Market Square and the Havel embankment, asked for only 40 euro cents for hot mouth-watering buns.

You can eat in the center of Brandenburg quite inexpensively if you condescend to the local sausages. The kiosks selling them come across quite regularly, and many townspeople use the opportunity to eat quickly and cheaply. It takes only a couple of minutes to complete the order, and the cost of the snack ranges from one and a half to two euros, including a generous portion of mustard, which sellers seem to put in by default, regardless of the client's wishes. By the way, currywurst sausages fried in oil are exactly the dish that you should try when you come to Germany.

I would not count on profitable shopping in Brandenburg: there seem to be a lot of shops, and prices are much worse than in Berlin. You can, however, look into the shopping centers, where there are always some kind of sales. At C & A on Jacobstrasse, I looked for a very stylish jacket, which had been discounted by half and therefore cost only 35 euros. But since it was the last one, there was no question of looking for a different size, and I had to leave with nothing. I can also give a tip to the H & M department store located at 9 Hauptstrasse: shirts were sold there for 9 euros, some women's blouses were even cheaper. Another good spot is the Sankt Annen Galerie on the Neustadtischer Markt, next to the tourist office. Inside a modern shopping complex it is easy to buy high-quality shoes and clothes from Germany; there is also a MediaMarkt department, whose prices are much more attractive than in Russia.

In general, the shopping opportunities in Brandenburg are quite extensive, but, I repeat, the city cannot compete with the capital in this area ...

I left Brandenburg already at dusk, starting to nod off slowly from the transition from the cold air to the warm interior of the train. Still, winter is not very suitable for excursions to European cities. The best time to travel in Europe is in the spring or summer, or at least early autumn. And then it starts to get dark early, and the snow-covered landscapes look somehow dull. So I firmly decided to schedule a new visit to Germany for the summer season ...

If you happen to be in Berlin and have some free time, be sure to go to Brandenburg an der Havel. This city is located very close to Berlin, but it is very different from the capital of Germany and other cities in Brandenburg. It is the oldest city in the region. It stands on the Havel River

Brandenburg an der Havel, photo by Arne Olejnik

Modern Brandenburg, photo by Howard Pulling

Now Brandenburg an der Havel is a large industrial city and a transport hub. The electrical engineering, food and light industries, metallurgy and mechanical engineering are well developed here.

The city's attractions

central square(Neustädtischer Markt) has not always been the city center. This square, along with all its architectural ensemble, was built after the war, so you will not see especially striking objects on it. However, in the city of Brandenburg there are many interesting objects, temples and monuments.

St. Catherine's Church (Katharinenkirche), photo bayernernst

Not far from the main square stands Cathedral of St. Catherine(Katharinenkirche). This is a true architectural masterpiece - an example of the North German Gothic style, built by Hinrich Brunsberg. Not many original buildings in the brick Gothic style have survived, and this cathedral has come down to us no longer in its original form. It was built at the turn of the XIV-XV centuries, underwent more than one reconstruction until the XVIII century and was thoroughly restored in 1987-2004.

Katarinenkirche, photo by wolf

During the time after the construction, changes were made to the architecture of the three-nave church. Some parts of the building were completed in later historical periods. The interior of the temple is rather modest in comparison with its external appearance. The most interesting elements of the decoration of the church are the decoration of the columns and the painting of the ceiling vaults.

The main city street begins from Katharinenkirche, along which there are cafes and shops. This street leads to the bridge over the Havel, behind which the historic core of Brandenburg begins.

Slavic Village (Förderverein Slawendorf), photo by Sulamith Sallmann

On the left side of the bridge stretches embankment... It resembles river embankments in other small towns - the same sun loungers, benches, walking tourists, ubiquitous seagulls. You can walk along the river to the most interesting historical site - Slavic village(Förderverein Slawendorf),. Once upon a time, the Slavs lived on the banks of the Havel, their settlements stood. One of these settlements was recreated in detail by local enthusiastic historians.

Next to this ancient monument there is another memorial - a more modern one. Memory Center dedicated to the innocent victims of the Third Reich - people who died from violent euthanasia carried out under the state "T4 program" (Gedenkstätte für die Opfer der Euthanasie). In the struggle for the purity of the Aryan race, all of its representatives, recognized as "inferior", were destroyed. In a special euthanasia center established in Brandenburg, tens of thousands of German residents were tortured in gas chambers. The dead were taken into account: reports were drawn up with detailed descriptions of the "achievements" in the implementation of Hitler's program. These terrible documents can be seen in the exposition of the Center.

Stands nearby church of St. Nicholas(Sankt Nikolai), surrounded by a small park. This building dates back to the 12th century. Among the brick religious buildings in Germany, the Brandenburg Catholic Cathedral of St. Nicholas is one of the oldest.

Plauer Torturm, photo steffen68

From the cathedral you can walk to Altstädtischer Markt... On the way, you will see the ancient Plauer Torturm watchtower, preserved from the medieval city walls. This is a 14th century building. Four such towers have survived: Rathenovertourm(Rathenower Torturm), Plauertourm(Plauer Torturm), Mülentorturm(Neustädtische Mühlentorturm), Steintorturm(Steintorturm).

Town hall and statue of Roland, photo wolf

In a buiding town hall(Altstädtisches Rathaus und Roland), built in 1468, houses the city council. In front of the town hall is installed Roland statue, traditional for European cities. These statues were erected as a sign of the city's acquisition of liberty, its exemption from church taxes. The personality of the legendary Roland Brandenburg has nothing to do with it.

Cathedral of St. Gott (Gotthardtkirche), photo Judith

From the town hall, signs lead to Dominsel Island –Cathedral Island. On the way meets Cathedral of St. Gotthardt (Gotthardtkirche), which traces its history back to the time of the ancient Slavic settlements on Havel. In the 15th century, the temple was rebuilt in the late Gothic style, in this form it has survived to this day.

Mülentorturm (Neustädtische Mühlentorturm), photo steffen68

On the way to Cathedral Island, one cannot fail to notice another medieval tower, Mühlentorturm (Neustädtische Mühlentorturm), built in 1411, 28 m high. At one time it served as the entrance to the city.

Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul (Dom St. Peter und Paul), photo wolf

On the Cathedral Island itself, there is a large Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, built as a late Romanesque three-aisled basilica in the 13th century, and rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century. In its crypt there is a memorial in memory of the clergy executed by the Nazis. Next to the massive brick Romanesque building, founded in 1165, another small chapel of the 12th century is almost invisible St. Petri(Kapelle Sankt Petri).

Chapel of St. Peter (Kapelle Sankt Petri)

After seeing the Cathedral, you can return to the city center. The way back lies through River port... There are beautiful views of the city from the port - this is an excellent site for photographing.

Upon returning to the central square, you should pay attention to the objects "not covered" by the tourist map. If there is time left and there is a desire, you can inspect Franciscan temple ruins preserved from the monastery of the XIII century, Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Trinity XIX century, Fritz Bollmann Memorial Fountain on the main pedestrian street.

The Steintorbrueke bridge has memorial dedicated to Soviet soldiers-liberators(sowjetische Ehrenfriedhof auf der Halbinsel Wusterau). The battles for the liberation of Brandenburg took place in April 1945. The burial place of soldiers and officers of the Red Army is still revered in the city today. The order at the memorial site is monitored by a Bundeswehr unit.

Brandenburg an der Havel Germany
stadt-brandenburg.de

How do I save on hotels?

It's very simple - look not only at the booking. I prefer the search engine RoomGuru. He is looking for discounts on Booking and 70 other booking sites at the same time.

Brandenburg (German Brandenburg, n.-puddle Bramborska, v.-puddle Braniborska) - the land of the Federal Republic of Germany. The capital is the city of Potsdam.

origin of name

There are different theories about the origin of the word. According to the Slavic theory, the name of the city of Brandenburg, after which this land is named, goes back to the widespread Slavic toponym Branibor or Branny Bor, that is, "defensive (border) forest". According to another version, the name comes from the Germanic word "brenan" (cf. German brennen to burn, to burn) and means "a city that arose on the site of a burnt forest" (uprooting of a forest in ancient times was done by fire). According to the third version, the name of the city and the land is associated with the monastery of St. Brendan, founded here in the 7th-8th centuries by Irish missionaries.

Geography

Brandenburg is located in the east of the North German Plain, bordering in the west with Saxony-Anhalt, in the north with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in the east with Poland, in the south with Saxony, and the heart of Brandenburg is Berlin, however, which is not part of it and represents a separate federal land. Forests occupy 30% of the land. The eastern part of the Central German Canal runs through the territory of Brandenburg.

History

Currently, some sources claim that Germanic tribes, such as the Semnones and some others, left the territory of the modern land of Brandenburg during the Great Migration of Nations and Slavic settlements “appeared” on the "liberated" lands. Although some researchers note that many of the names of the "Germanic tribes" that inhabited in antiquity (according to ancient sources) the lands corresponding to modern eastern Germany, including Brandenburg, are very similar to the names of the Slavic tribes that lived there in the Middle Ages, from which the conclusion that the Slavs allegedly came to these lands "during the great migration of peoples", but, despite the fact that it is often repeated, in fact, is not entirely justified.

At the first stage of the German advance to the east in 929, the army of the King of the East Franks, Henry I the Birdman, captured the territory of the Hevels, centered in present-day Brandenburg an der Havel, and imposed a tribute on the population. For the Christianization of the Slavs, the Havelberg and Brandenburg episcopates were founded, subordinate to the Magdeburg archbishopric. In a constantly growing tense situation, the Slavic tribes united in the Lyutich Union. During the uprising they raised in 983, the Slavs managed to recapture their lands. For more than a century, the German attempt to conquer the lands east of the Elbe was repelled. But due to the aggressive policy of the Holy Roman Empire and Poland, the territory was constantly under martial law.

In 1150, the childless prince of the Hevels, Pribislav-Heinrich, died. His lands were inherited by Albrecht the Bear. However, they were also claimed by Jaksa from Kopanitsa, the prince of another Slavic tribe - shrevanov. In 1153 he managed to capture the Brandenburg fortress (Branibor) and possess it until 1157, when Albrecht finally conquered it in a bloody battle. This day is considered the date of the founding of the Brandenburg Mark, which began to be heavily populated by the Germans and Flemings. Until the beginning of the 15th century, Germans and Vendians lived together, but in separate settlements. After the death of the last of the Askanis in 1320, weak rulers from the Wittelsbachs and then the Luxemburgs were in power in Brandenburg, and the Brandenburg mark suffered from robber knights.

In 1411, the Brandenburg lands were transferred to the management of the House of Hohenzollerns, in 1415 they were awarded the title of Elector. The Hohenzollerns managed to restore order in Brandenburg and restore central authority. Destroyed by the Thirty Years' War, the impoverished Brandenburg Mark began to gradually recover after 1640 under the “great elector” Friedrich Wilhelm. This process was interrupted for some time due to the attack of the Swedes in 1674-1675. The “Great Elector” and General Georg von Derflinger won decisive victories in the battles of Rathenow, Nauen, and especially the Battle of Ferbellin. The history of Brandenburg in 1701-1946 is inextricably linked with the history of the Prussian state. In Prussia, Brandenburg played a key role and was the largest Prussian province. In 1920, according to the law on Greater Berlin, Berlin was separated from Brandenburg into a separate administrative entity.

At the end of World War II, the territory of Brandenburg was occupied by Soviet troops. The territories to the east of the Oder-Neisse line were taken over by Poland.

After 1945, the province of Brandenburg was formed on the territory of the Soviet zone of occupation of Germany. In the fall of 1946, the Brandenburg Landtag met for its first meeting. After the liquidation of Prussia in July 1947, Brandenburg was transformed into a federal state and occupied an area of 27,612 square meters. km. In 1949, the state authorities lost their functions with the formation of the German Democratic Republic. During the 1952 administrative reform, the federal state of Brandenburg was divided into three districts: Cottbus, Frankfurt an der Oder and Potsdam. On October 3, 1990, the federal state of Brandenburg was restored. On October 26, 1990, the Landtag of the new federal state met.

Politics

Legislature - Landtag Brandenburg, elected by the people, executive body - Brandenburgische Landesregierung, elected by the Landtag, consisting of the Prime Minister of the Land of Brandenburg (Ministerpräsidenten des Landes Brandenburg) and the ministers of the Constitutional Supervision of Brandenburg Brandenburg State Court (Verfassungsgericht des Landes Brandenburg), the highest court - the Brandenburg High Land Court (Brandenburgisches Oberlandesgericht), the highest court of administrative justice - the High Land Court of Berlin and Brandenburg (Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg).

Since 2002, the Prime Minister of Brandenburg has been Matthias Platzeck (SPD), who in 2004 was re-elected to a new term. On January 20, 2008, the regional leader of the CDU Ulrich Junghans resigned as head of the CDU after the communal elections that were unsuccessful for the party in September. After his departure, the party was led by his former deputy, Johanna Vanka.

As a result of the elections to the Landtag on September 27, 2009, the SPD received 33 percent of the vote, the Left Party 27.2 percent, the CDU 19.8 percent and the FDP 7.2 percent. In connection with the new alignment of political forces in Brandenburg, the leadership of the SPD decided to create a coalition with the participation of the Left Party. In 2013, Platzeck retired due to illness and was succeeded by Dietmar Voidke.

Religion

Most believers are Lutherans. The largest Lutheran denomination is the Evangelical Church of Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (Evangelische Kirche Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz).

Agriculture

Brandenburg is rich in forest landscapes, lakes, wetlands and pine groves. The sparse, sandy land of Brandenburg is mainly used for planting potatoes and rye. Wheat, sugar beets and even tobacco are grown on the fertile land of Uckermark and Oderbruchs. Fruit cultivation and animal husbandry are also common around Berlin and in the Spreewald forest.

The science

There are universities in Cottbus, Frankfurt an der Oder and Potsdam.