600 years of history: anniversary celebrations in Potsdam-Mittelmark 2025

600 years of history: anniversary celebrations in Potsdam-Mittelmark 2025

On June 29, 2025, there will be some big anniversaries in Potsdam-Mittelmark: a total of 31 places are celebrating their 650th anniversary. These include charming towns such as Michendorf, Elsholz, Wildenbruch, Seddin, Kemnitz and Kleinmachnow. The celebrations are colorful and varied, from parades to church services to fire brigade competitions, exhibitions and rousing stage programs. Some of the places have even created special anthems to celebrate. There's something going on! These festivals are not only an occasion to celebrate, but also remind us of the historical importance of the regions, which were mentioned in a document by Emperor Charles IV in the famous land register in 1375. The rbb reports that this land register represents one of the earliest records of income and taxes in the region, which is why it is still of great interest today.

The importance of the land register, which was created in 1375, cannot be overestimated. It served to record hundreds of settlements and made a significant contribution to research into social and economic structures of the Middle Ages. The land register is not only dedicated to the localities, but also provides insights into church structures and administrative organizations. The story goes that Emperor Charles IV acquired the Mark of Brandenburg from Otto V for 500,000 guilders. But the vote that came with the purchase was much more important to him. One reason for the purchase was the desire for more power in northern Germany, which in previous years led to a conflict with Otto V over the electoral vote.

Historical significance and origins

The creation of the land register represents a significant moment in regional history. As early as 1371, a conflict broke out between Charles IV and Otto V, which ultimately resulted in the Treaty of Fürstenwalde. That agreement guaranteed Charles IV the Margraviate of Brandenburg. As Wikipedia reports, the land register was created primarily for the purpose of orderly state administration. Margrave scribes were supported by country riders and bailiffs in order to collect the necessary data. This survey was not always easy and occasionally faced threats from landlords who wanted to hinder the records.

The extensive survey of the region included over 700 villages, many of which were founded before 1375, but mostly without older documentary evidence. An excerpt from the land register is on display in the Brandenburg Museum in Potsdam, which is of interest not only to historians, but also to anyone interested in the development of the region.

A valuable legacy

The legacy of the land register is still important today, even though the first comprehensive statistical overview was only implemented by Charles IV. In fact, the land book went through several editions based on different manuscripts. Ewald Friedrich von Hertzberg presented the first edition in 1781, followed by Ernst Fidicin in 1856, and finally Johannes Schultze in 1940. The latter ensured that the land book also became more accessible to regional historians.

Today, the Land Register of the Mark of Brandenburg is viewed as a valuable document of German history, not only providing insights into the administration, economy and society of the 14th century, but also paving the way for future research. The historical context and celebrations surrounding the 650-year-old communities impressively show how deeply rooted history is in the present.