Brandenbourg, City

1694. The great historical, geographical and poetical dictionary by Louis Moreri.

Brandenbourg, a Town of Germany, in the middle Marquisate of Brandenbourg, to which it gives its Name, and whereof some make it the Capital. It is scituated upon the Havel, betwixt Berlin and Magdebourg. The River separates it into two Parts; the Upper, or Old, is surrounded with Walls, fortified with little round Towers; and the other, called the New, has no other Defence than that of Nature, but is considerable enough, being scituated betwixt Ponds, Marshes, and a River, which carries thither great Boats coming from the Elbe. The Upper City hath great Streets, built in form of a Cross, and at the Place where they meet, a fine Market, with the Town-House. It also has on one side a Hill covered with Vines, with the Church of Our Lady, which in times past was a rich Abbey. Some say that this Town was called Brenoburgum from Breno, General of the Gauls; and others derive its Name from Brando, a Prince of the Franks, Son to Marcomirus. This City has many Priviledges granted to it by Emperors, Kings and Princes, in token whereof, there is a Statue of a Man erected in the New Town, with a naked Sword in his Right-Hand, which the Inhabitants called Rowland. It was taken by the Suedes in 1675, but re-taken again. Long. 35. 00. Lat. 52. 39. 12 Miles West of Koningsberg, and 72 from Dantzick.