Spandau

Spandau, a town and first-class fortress of Prussia, is situated at the confluence of the Havel and the Spree, 8 miles by rail W. by N. of Berlin. The principal defence of the capital on that side, it has very strong modern fortifications, including a citadel. In the 'Julius tower' of this structure is preserved in gold the 'Reichskriegsschatz' of £6,000,000 that the government, according to a law of 11th November 1871, keep in reserve for a great war. Spandau is the seat of large government cannon-foundries, factories for making gunpowder and other munitions of war, and has an arsenal. Pop. (1875) 27,630; (1890) 44,611, including a garrison of nearly 4000 men. Spandau, one of the oldest towns of Brandenburg, was a favourite residence of the electors. It surrendered to the Swedes in 1634, to the French in 1806, and in 1813 to the Prussians.