Tangermünde Castle

Tangermünde Castle, also known as Tangermünde Palace, is a partially preserved castle located at approximately 43 m above sea level on the Elbe River in the city of Tangermünde in the Stendal district of Saxony-Anhalt.

The castle was built around 925 by Ascanian margraves. It presumably served to monitor the border at the mouth of the Tanger River into the Elbe.

In 1009, Tanger Castle is first mentioned in a chronicle by Bishop Thietmar of Merseburg. In the 10th and 11th centuries, it was an imperial castle and secured the German imperial border on the Elbe. In the 13th century, the city of Tangermünde was founded. On September 7, 1373, Emperor Charles IV moved into the castle and, in 1374, had it expanded into a palace-like structure befitting his rule. In 1377, the castle chapel, first mentioned in 1371, was converted into an Augustinian canons' monastery.

The Emperor's goal of making Tangermünde a capital was not pursued by his successors. Consequently, the castle developed into the administrative center of the Altmark and the Prignitz. In 1640, the castle was burned down by Swedish troops. In 1699, Elector Frederick III had the "Amtshaus" (administrative building) constructed and inspected it in 1701 as King Frederick I. A historical reconstruction began in 1902.

Of the former castle complex, the castle gate, the chancellery, the round keep, a residential tower, and the moat are preserved. The former core castle is now used as a hotel ("Schlosshotel Tangermünde"), which probably stands on the foundations of the former palas. Furthermore, the Augustinian canons' monastery on the west wall is still preserved. The castle courtyard serves as a hotel terrace.