The history of Saxony-Anhalt (German: Sachsen-Anhalt) goes back to the dawn of the German state. With Magdeburg as the capital, its southwest corner is occupied by the Harz mountains. The region is also noted for industrial production.

Saxony-Anhalt Map

Major cities, besides Magdeburg of course, are Halle (Saale) and Dessau.

Since the rule of the Ottonians in the 10th century, Saxony-Anhalt, whose German name is Sachsen-Anhalt, has established as an important place in the history of Germany. Until the 12th century, this federal state was part of the duchy of Saxony when it was split into several regions.

Prussia dominated one of those regions after the 17th century. In the year 1871, the area was made a state of the German empire. When the Soviet military occupied the region in 1947, Saxony-Anhalt consisted mainly of the former state of Anhalt, the former Prussian province of Saxony, and several small territories of the former state of Brunswick.

Furthermore, in 1952, the region was demolished and its territory was included in the districts of Halle, Magdeburg, Leipzig, and Cottbus.

After the restructuring post-Soviet occupation, Saxony-Anhalt emerged as one of the five independent states. However, the state was again demolished in the GDR era.

Since German reunification in 1990, Saxony-Anhalt has been one of 16 federal states with its own parliament, which is elected every five years by its citizens (as in most federal states).

It has, historically, been one of the centers of cultural significance since the early middle ages. The state boasts a number of monuments of architectural splendor from the time of the Romanesque and the gothic cathedrals.

Magdeburg and Quedlinburg have both been the center of a number of castles and churches. The buildings are mostly coining/shaping from the time of the Prussian province. You can visit a number of villages with architectural beauty and amazingly stunning churches.

Halle, with its river Saale, is the largest city of Saxony-Anhalt. This place is known for its earlier existence of a chemical industry. And together with the river Unstrut, which is located in the south, it is very well known for its wine cultivation.

With a population of about 1 million only (but not less exciting!), Saarland is located in the south-western part of Germany. It was previously also called the Saar province. Although it experienced some French influences in its history, its inhabitants are German-speaking and largely Roman Catholic.

Saarland Map

Until the 18th century, it was separated with France into the regions of Saarbrücken and the palatine duchy of Zweibrücken. The whole time of its record, it has often tainted nationalities — eight times in the past 200 years alone!

After the Second World War, France imposed an independence ruling and a profitable union. So it became a state of the Federal Republic of Germany.

It is a young state with an unstable history. Unseen attractiveness like peaceful lakes and waterways, never-ending wooded area, quiet rural communities and lovely old towns, idealistic wineries, imposing tombstones and archaeological discoveries — all this can be seen here. A trip to Saarland is an imposing artistic discovery tour, marked by the proof of unstable past.

The state presents the whole wellness package in a charming environment. Those who desire to calm down and convalesce will come across abundance of hotels and hot tub satisfying their all requirements. But also those seeking adventures in nature can choose from a broad variety of activities.

Major cities in Saarland, besides its capital Saarbrücken, are Völklingen, Saarlouis, and Sankt Ingbert.

Saarbrücken has a touch of Hollywood thanks to the Max Ophüls Prize. Every year in January, it hosts a film festival for up-and-coming German film directors and actors.

Yup, now we’re at the Salzlandkreis provides you with cultural highlights and historical buildings along the way. It’s actually advantageous that it’s located right in the middle of Saxony-Anhalt because it means a good opportunity to explore all the other districts of this state.

Salzlandkreis Map

You are going to find the princes’ and dukes’ castles in Bernburg and Plötzkau as well as stations of the Romanesque Route (Straße der Romanik) in the towns of Hecklingen, Frose, Nienburg and, once again, Bernburg. So make sure your camera’s battery is full!

You may also like to take a bike tour or a cruise on or along the Saale or Elbe River, or on one of the countless lakes available in the Salzlandkreis.

Once you are in the Jerichower Land in the state of Saxony-Anhalt you will be happy to discover historical buildings and towns as well as lots of opportunities for sport, camping, horse riding, and generally relaxation from everyday stress.

Jerichower Land Map

The town of Jerichow is certainly a must-stop location for you to take photos and explore its more than 850-year old monastery.

Then there are countless villages with their traditional festivals which give you a feeling of what the German country live in Central Germany was and still is all about.

And you might wanna take some river cruises along the Elbe River, or take some bike tours there since it has 500km (311mi) of biking and walking roads. ;-)

The Mansfeld-Südharz district in Saxony-Anhalt is a wonderful holiday destination! This not only due to extensive courses for walking and biking and lots of green areas, its towns and villages are historical and well maintained.

Mansfeld-Südharz District Map

Lutherstadt Eisleben is certainly the highlight in the Mansfeld-Südharz district. Both the Birth House and the Death House of the reformer Dr. Martin Luther are still there and well maintained.

Mansfeld itself is also worth seeing, as this too is all about Martin Luther.

Another sweet spot is Südharz and its hamlet of Stolberg with its countless half-timbered houses presented throughout the town as well as the popular Stolberg Castle.

When you love water and lakes (for sport, picknick, camping, etc) then there are the Stausee near Kelbra as well as the Süßer See (Sweet Lake) in Seeburg. (Hmm, that’s sweet… ;-)

The Altmarkkreis Salzwedel in the state of Saxony-Anhalt is marked by an ongoing exodus of its inhabitants. I don’t know why as it’s a district with beautiful landscapes. It may be because of the very high unemployment rate here and that people find jobs more easily in other German states.

Altmarkkreis Salzwedel Map

This district is characterized by an extensive usage of agriculture. Its highlight is certainly its 1,200-year old capital Salzwedel, having countless of churches and historical buildings.

The Saalekreis in the state of Saxony-Anhalt comes up with countless historical sweet spots, telling you much about its baroque history.

Saalekreis Map

Some of the highlights are the health spring in Bad Lauchstädt. They also have the Goethe Theater, which was regularly visited by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

Another sweet spot is the town of Merseburg. Make sure to stroll through the Merseburg Castle and its gardens and museum, the historical City Church Sankt Maximi which was built probably in the 10th century, and then of course downtown. You’ll know what I mean once you’re there. Merseburg is more than 1,000 years old, and many buildings are well maintained.

Lastly, you also don’t wanna miss the stunning city of Halle (Saale). It doesn’t belong to the Saalekreis politically but is geographically right in the center of this romantic district.

The Burgenlandkreis in the state of Saxony-Anhalt is loved for its masterpieces of Romanesque, idyllic river valleys and sensational archaeological sites.

Burgenlandkreis Map

As historical highlights can be named the cathedral in Naumburg, the Neuenburg in Freyburg, the Rudelsburg in Bad Kösen, and the Moritzburg Castle in Zeitz. Furthermore, you will love the ensemble of terraces, stone walls, castles, and vineyards with their special beauty.

And, of course, if you like to drink a good glass of wine you are at the right place here in this district.

All in all, the Burgenlandkreis is blessed with historical buldings throughout. There is always something to explore. No wonder since Burgenland is German for Castle Land. ;-)

Geez… The Harz district in Saxony-Anhalt is one of those places you’ll fall in love with!

Harz District Map

Part of the German Romantic Route finds its way through the Harz district. This also means that you are going to find lots of nature parks here. (Well, the Harz IS a nature park.) Marshes, river valleys, granite cliffs, and mountain wilderness will give you a good taste of what Germany is all about in terms of nature.

As for sights, you will want to make photos of the Halberstadt Cathedral, the Wernigerode Castle, the Castle Museum in Quedlinburg, and the Burg Falkenstein.

It goes on and on with the Börde district in Saxony-Anhalt which is another seemingly huge district but is not. Let’s see…

Börde District Map

The Börde District has many regions of farmers and an abundant amount of countryside. But you will also like what its towns and villages have to offer.

For example, when you’re in Haldensleben, take a trip to the Hundisburg Castle located outside and south of Haldensleben. It’s an impressive old building from the 12th century and with an inspiring and beautiful garden.

Or when you like camping then you will love the campground in Colbitz called Heide-Camp. It was awared with five stars by the German Tourism Organisation and is considered as one of the most modern campgrounds in Germany. It’s really huge and open all year.