Aschersleben

Aschersleben (ˈaʃɐsleːbən) is a town in the Salzlandkreis district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated approximately 22 km east of Quedlinburg, and 45 km northwest of Halle (Saale). Aschersleben lies near the confluence of the rivers Eine and Wipper. The town Aschersleben consists of Aschersleben proper and the following Ortschaften or municipal divisions: Drohndorf Freckleben Groß Schierstedt Klein Schierstedt Mehringen Neu Königsaue Schackenthal Schackstedt Westdorf Wilsleben Winningen Aschersleben was first mentioned in 753, making it the oldest town of Saxony-Anhalt. The Latin name of the town's castle, Ascharia, provided the name of the House of Ascania. It obtained municipal status in 1266 and achieved the right to build a city wall with defense towers in 1322. Nearly the whole medieval city wall is well-preserved and 15 towers can still be visited today. From 1252–1315 Aschersleben was the capital of Anhalt-Aschersleben, after which it passed to the Bishopric of Halberstadt. In 1426 Aschersleben became a member of the Hanseatic League and due to hop trade an economic boom started. The soil around Aschersleben was very good for cultivating hop, and a special market place (Hopfenmarkt, Hop Market) was laid out for hop trade. In the centre of Aschersleben a place called Hopfenmarkt still exists today. After the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, it became part of the Principality of Halberstadt. Aschersleben became part of the Prussian Province of Saxony in 1815. A Junkers serial fuselage production facility was located in Aschersleben during the time of Nazi Germany. In April 1935 tools were transferred to Aschersleben, and by May 1935 the first fuselages were built there. The facility was located in the Wilslebener Strasse 9 near the so-called Seewiesen, where an airfield was erected as well. The Aschersleben shop area reached 564,000 square metres and about 6,000 people were employed at it. During World War II, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp was located in the town.