Havelland District

Havelland is an administrative district in Brandenburg that stretches along the Havel River in a U-shaped curve between Berlin and where the Elbe meets another river. It comprises several towns and municipalities that together form a countryside region with river landscapes and natural areas.

The district was created in 1993 when two former districts, Nauen and Rathenow, merged into one. This reorganization was part of larger administrative changes in Brandenburg following German reunification.

The region appears in German literature through Theodor Fontane's works, which explore the landscape and its people. These literary connections have shaped the area's identity and give it a distinctive story in the wider culture.

The area is best explored by car or local buses, which connect the various towns and villages. Rathenow, the district capital, serves as a good starting point to visit the surrounding communities and natural areas.

The West Havelland Nature Park holds one of Western Europe's largest inland wetlands, shaped by glacial deposits from the Ice Age. An extensive network of canals runs through the area, allowing visitors to explore it by boat or on foot.

Location: Brandenburg

Inception: 1993

Capital city: Rathenow

Elevation above the sea: 32 m

Shares border with: Berlin, Potsdam-Mittelmark District, Oberhavel District, Ostprignitz-Ruppin District, Brandenburg an der Havel, Stendal District, Jerichower Land, Potsdam

Website: https://havelland.de

GPS coordinates: 52.63333,12.63333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 11:36