Dessau

Dessau, a town of North Germany, capital of the duchy of Anhalt, is situated on the left bank of the Mulde, not far from its junction with the Elbe, 70 miles by rail SW. of Berlin. It is in general well built. Among the principal buildings are the ducal palace, a noble structure, built in 1748, and improved in 1875, with a valuable picture-gallery and library ; a town-hall, an elegant theatre, and several churches. The Philanthropinum of Basedow (q.v.) was here. The manufactures are sugar, woollen cloth, machinery, carpets, and there is a large trade in grain. Moses Mendelssohn was a native. Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747), a famous soldier in the wars of the 18th century, is popularly known as der alte Dessauer ('the old Dessauer') ; his statue adorns the market-place. Pop. (1890) 34,658.