1213: The first documented record of Dessau’s existence
1471: Dessau becomes the capital of Anhalt and residence of Princes of Anhalt A record of the twin city of Dessau-Roßlau was first found in 1213 [1]. The two towns are split by the Elbe River, with Dessau to the south and Roßlau to the north. Dessau-Roßlau was a part of the larger state of Anhalt, a principality within the Holy Roman Empire [2]. The royal House of Anhalt was split into several governing branches, but later united under Prince Joachim Ernst. During the 1400s, the city of Dessau was home to the many Princes of Anhalt and was named the capital of Anhalt [2]. Early German cities depended heavily on their location: western cities were largely irregular and organic, while eastern Germany contained regular town plans. There were several early planning systems in early medieval Germany [3]:
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Above: Images of Northern German city designs [3]
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Above: Model of the ducal palace of Dresden, c. 1530 [6]
Above: Model of Augsburg Palace, 1609 [6]
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1540: Dessau becomes Protestant
In the 1500s, Anhalt converted to Protestantism and was split into four territories by Prince Ernst’s sons: Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Köthen, Anhalt-Zerbst, and Anhalt-Dessau [1]. At the beginning of the 16th century, Europe’s earliest cities such as Venice (1500) and Augsburg (1521) were drawn on scale maps. The city of Dessau began to flourish during the Renaissance when structures such as St. Mary’s church and Stadtschloss were built. Renaissance architecture was predominantly limited to church and stately palaces. An early example of German Renaissance architecture can be seen in the wooden model of Wettin Residential Palace in Dresden around 1530 [6]. 1618-1648: The Thirty Years War destroys progress in Dessau Dessau’s progress as a European city came to a halt during the Thirty Years War. The war was fought primarily in Central Europe and originated from years of religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants [4]. The 1626 Battle of Dessau/Battle of the Elbe Bridge led to a Protestant defeat by the Catholics and pushed back Danish forces. Due to a lack of city fortification, Dessau was left exposed and largely damaged from the war. Additionally, neighboring Roßlau was predominantly destroyed by fire from the battle. The same Elbe River later became the site where American and Russian forces shook hands in Torgau to symbolize the defeated Axis powers, and is currently celebrated on April 25th each year as Elbe Day [5]. The war ultimately is one of Germany’s earliest tragedies and went on for thirty years before ending ending in 1648 with the Peace of Münster and Peace of Westphalia treaties. Above: Image containing an example of unfortified east German cities [7]
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