Attractions and Places To See around Köthen (Anhalt) - Top 20

Great fountain 👍

Very beautiful fountain

The Elbe (Low German: Elv, Czech: Labe, Latin: Albis) is a Central European river that originates in the Czech Republic, flows through Germany, and empties into the North Sea. It drains, among other things, a large part of eastern Germany and almost all of Bohemia, which is surrounded by low mountain ranges. The most well-known rivers in its catchment area include the Vltava, the Mulde, the Saale, the Havel with the Spree, and the Elde with the Müritz. Characterized by the low mountain ranges in its upper reaches, it further follows two glacial valleys in the North German Plain. Measured by the size of its catchment area of 148,300 km², the Elbe ranks fourth in Central Europe according to the list of rivers in Europe, behind the Danube, the Vistula, and the Rhine, and followed by the Oder and the Memel.[6] Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbe

Info at https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

The city's founder, Albrecht the Bear, Margrave of Brandenburg, was one of the most influential princes in the 12th century. As a loyal ally of the emperor, he waged numerous wars to expand the empire. After the complete subjugation of the Wendish region, Albrecht summoned settlers from the Rhine and the Netherlands to the deserted areas along the Elbe, Havel, and Spree rivers, who founded cities such as Berlin, Cölln an der Spree, and Aken. The inscription on the base therefore reads as follows: Market Fountain: "We, Albrecht the Bear, Margrave of Brandenburg, 1100-1170, founded the city of Aken near the fortified town of Gloworp." With a cloak, drinking cup, and heraldic animal at his side, he is the typical ruler of his time. His power rests firmly on the shoulders of his soldiers. Source: https://www.aken.de/de/altstadt/marktplatz-mit-brunnen.html

An extraordinarily well-designed market fountain, which provided good cooling during this walk in summer.

Technical data Ferry name: Ferry Aken Type of ferry: Wagon cable ferry Year of construction: 1997 Length overall: 34.50 m Width overall: 10.10 m Loading area: 138 m² Load capacity: 42 t Maximum individual load: 25 t Fees for the Aken ferry The following fees apply to the use of the Aken ferry from January 1st, 2024 (each with driver and reduced VAT rate). Adults 1.00 euros Bicycle 2.00 euros Moped / motorcycle 2.50 euros Trailer for bicycle, moped, motorcycle 0.50 euros Motorcycle with sidecar 2.50 euros Car 3.50 euros Car trailers up to 2.50 m 1.50 euros Car trailers over 2.50 m long, caravans up to 4 m 2.00 euros Delivery vehicles and minibuses (including car registration), mobile homes, caravans over 4 m, small tractors, pickup trucks 5.00 euros Delivery vehicles (including car registration), trucks 5 t to 10 t, tractors 5 t to 10 t, buses with 10 - 20 seats 8.00 euros Buses with more than 20 seats 8.00 euros Trucks, tractors, agricultural machinery 10 t - 15 t 10.00 euros Trucks, agricultural machinery over 15 t 12.00 euros Trailers up to 5 t 4.00 euros Trailers over 5 t to 10 t 5.00 euros Trailers over 10 t to 15 t 6.00 euros Trailer over 15 t 7.50 euros Semi-trailers 12.50 euros Total occupancy of the ferry (special transport) 25.00 euros Horse-drawn carriage 5.00 euros Horse with rider 2.00 euros Severely disabled people, schoolchildren, students (ID) 50% discount Aken kindergarten and school groups including care free of charge Source https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html

Ferry operations can be maintained up to a water level of around 4.20 m. In the event of flooding or ice, the ferry stops transporting passengers. In the event of a storm or similar weather phenomena, the ferry driver also decides whether the safety of ferry customers can be guaranteed or whether ferry traffic must be interrupted. A ferry was first mentioned in a document in Aken in 1355. In order to enable an exchange of goods between both banks of the Elbe, the Elbe had to be crossed. The shortest connection from Zerbst to Bernburg and Köthen was via Aken. From the beginning, the ferry was not only used to transport people, but also primarily to transport goods. The ferry justice was in the hands of the sovereign. It was not until 1680, when Aken came to the Electorate of Brandenburg, that the ferry was leased. In 1878, when the ferry was rebuilt, the so-called Schrick ferry was converted into a yaw ferry. While previously there was staking and rowing, the ferry now hung on a strong rope, the yaw rope, which is anchored upstream and swings around an attachment point. By tilting it, the current pushes the ferry to the other side. Further new buildings were built in 1901, 1925, 1975 and 1997. The ferry, which is currently in operation, was put into service on May 28, 1997 and has a load capacity of 42 tons (largest individual load 25t). It can take up to 12 cars across the Elbe in about 5 minutes. The yaw ferry was built at the Georg Placke shipyard in Aken and is one of the most modern of its kind in Germany. On January 1, 1993, the Elbe ferry was transferred to the company Stadtwerke Aken (Elbe) by a city council resolution. Source https://www.stadtwerke-aken.de/elbfaehre-aken.html