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Rathenow

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Rathenow, District capital in Brandenburg, Germany.

Description

Rathenow is a district capital in Havelland, Brandenburg, that stretches along both banks of the Havel river. The built-up area alternates between older residential quarters near the historic core and newer settlements at the town edges.

History

In 1675 Swedish and Brandenburg troops fought in the area during the Scanian War, briefly drawing the town into military conflict. Later the settlement developed into a center for optical industry in East Germany.

Culture

The town takes its name from a Slavic word related to council or assembly, pointing to early Slavic settlements in the area. Today residents walk along the Havel riverbank and use the parks beside the water for leisure.

Practical

Travelers reach the town by regional train or main road, as it lies between Berlin and the Elbe river. A walk through the center takes about half an hour and combines well with a visit to the riverbank.

Did you know?

Workshops for spectacles and lenses emerged here in the 19th century, later growing into the largest production site for optical devices in East Germany. Even today company signs and old factory buildings recall this industrial past.

Elevation above the sea
29 m
GPS coordinates
52.60000,12.33333
Latest update
December 13, 2025 19:30

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Havelland District).

« Rathenow - District capital in Brandenburg, Germany » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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