Halberstadt: Guide

Halberstadt is a city in the Germany|German state of Saxony-Anhalt, capital of the Halberstadt (district)|district of Halberstadt. It was made an episcopal see in 814 and was a popular trade point in the 13th century to 14th century. It was annexed by Brandenburg in 1648. The city was severely damaged in World War II|World War 2, but retains many important historic buildings and much of its ancient towscape. Notable places in Halberstadt include the St. Stephen Cathedral and Liebfrauenkirche, churches built in the 13th century and 12th century, respectively.

The Prince Bishopric of Halberstadt was secularised under the Treaty of Westphalia and ceded to Brandenburg. At this time in 1648, the newly created Principality of Halberstadt consisted of two longstanding counties: one of which was Osterwieck, the ancient Principality of Anhalt-Aschersleben, the County of Regenstein (including Hainburg), and the County of Valkenstein. Its first secular Governor in 1648 was the statesman Joachim Friedrich von Blumenthal, who had negotiated its acquisition. Later the Lordship of Darenburg was added in 1701 and after the Congress of Vienna, the Principality of Halberstadt obtained the Barony of Schauen and the Lordship of Hessenrode.

Lost territories include the eastern half of its district to the newly created Archbishopric of Magdeburg in 968, the County of Weferlingen in 1701, the County of Hohnstein about the same time, Stapelburg in 1727, Hesserode in 1714, and the Lordships of Wolfsberg and Erichsberg in 1815.

From its secularization in 1648, the Princes of Halberstadt were the Prince/Electors of Brandenburg, who became the Kings of Prussia and later the Emperors of Germany. The principality was a recognized part of the grand arms of the Imperial and Royal House of Prussia and was one of the acknowledged possessions of the last emperor, HIRM Wilhelm II. The Principality was governed under a royal Prussian system of Provinces--specifically the Brandenburgish Province of Saxonystarting in 1817 to the end of the Germany Empire in 1918.

In the 17th century, Halberstadt had one of the largest Judaism|Jewish communities in central Europe. At the time, nearly one in twelve of the town's inhabitants, almost 700 people, were Jewish. One of the town's brightest stars was Issachar Berend Lehmann|Berend Lehmann, who brought new life to the community.

One example of Lehmann's work was the impressive synagogue he financed in Bakenstrasse, which was completed in 1712. In 1938 after Kristallnacht most of the building was taken down as the attack on it was said to have left it in danger of falling down.

A short distance from the synagogue, in the Rosenwinkel alley, Lehmann also had a house built for students of Judaism, with a collection of theology|theological writings. This building, known as the "Klaus", was where many important students of the Talmud and rabbis were taught.
The "Klaus" gave Halberstadt the reputation of being an important centre for the study of the Torah. Today the Moses Mendelssohn Academy is based there; this organises exhibitions, congresses and presentations and provides a wide range of information about the Jewish culture and way of life.

In 2001, performance of John Cage's piece As slow as possible began in the Burchardikirche in Halberstadt; it is scheduled to take 639 years.

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