Halle, Saxony-Anhalt

Halle (also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish from Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia) is the largest town in the German Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt. It lies in the southern part of the state, on the river Saale. Population: 243,045 (2001).

History

The name Halle derives from the Celtic word for salt, like that of its namesake Halle in Westphalia, Hallein and Hallstatt in Austria and Schwäbisch Hall in Germany; while the name of the river Saale contains the Germanic root for salt. Salt-making has taken place in Halle since at least the Bronze age.

Related Topics:
Celtic - Salt - Halle in Westphalia - Hallein - Hallstatt - Austria - Schwäbisch Hall - Saale - Germanic - Bronze age

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The town was first mentioned in 806. It became a part of the bishopric principality of Magdeburg in the 10th century and remained so until 1680, when Brandenburg annexed it together with Magdeburg.

Related Topics:
806 - Principality - Magdeburg - 1680 - Brandenburg

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After World War II Halle served as the capital of the short-lived administrative region of Saxony-Anhalt (until 1952), when the East German government abolished its "Länder". As a part of East Germany (until 1990), it functioned as the capital of the administrative district ("Bezirk") of Halle. When Saxony-Anhalt was re-established as a Bundesland, Magdeburg became the capital.

Related Topics:
World War II - 1952 - East German - 1990

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