Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt

View of Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, with its cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Magdeburger_Dom_und_F%C3%BCrstenwall.jpg
Author: Steffen


Magdeburg is the capital of the state of Saxony-Anhalt in eastern Germany. Located on the river Elbe, it covers 201 sq km (78 sq mi) and has a population of 231,000 people (2012 estimate), narrowly surpassed by Halle which has 233,000 inhabitants.

Magdeburg was founded by Charlemagne in AD 805 and was originally called Magadoburg, meaning "mighty fortress". In 1035 it received the right to hold trade exhibitions. This forms the basis of city laws known as the Magdeburg rights which was eventually adopted by other cities in central and eastern Europe. The city embraced the Protestant faith in 1524 after Martin Luther, who had been a schoolboy there, preached his sermon in the city.

In terms of population, Magdeburg is a shadow of its former self. At the end of the Second World War, it had a population of 340,000 people. After the East German government abolished the state of Saxony-Anhalt, it was made the capital of the Province of Magdeburg. In 1990, with German Reunification, it beat Halle to become the capital of the re-established state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Unser Lieben Frauen Monastery, Magdeburg
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MD-ULbFrS.JPG
Author: Jwaller

How to go to Magdeburg

Magdeburg is about 50 minutes on the road from the Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), the biggest airport in eastern Germany outside Berlin. If you are coming from Berlin, you can take Autobahn 2 heading southwest to reach Magdeburg.

Places of Interest in Magdeburg

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