Burg - Hexenturm

The Ottonian kings began conquering the Slavic region in the 10th century. In 928, Henry I conquered Brandenburg. His son Otto founded the diocese of Brandenburg in 948. The city of Burg is mentioned for the first time in the founding charter. To secure their influence, especially Albrecht the Bear attracted Flemish settlers to the land of Burg. They founded the lower town of Burg and introduced cloth making. The Flemish immigrants brought with them important trade connections from their homeland. Their cattle breeding, beer brewing and the production of woolen cloth became a basis for the flourishing development of the town of Burg. At that time, Burg consisted of two largely independent settlements, the Upper Town and the Lower Town.
The fortified watchtower is a relic of the city´s first 11th-century fortification. Originally angular it was rounded to better withstand cannonballs. The tower with its six meter deep dungeon was used as a women´s prison during the witchcraft trials. Until 1846 it was used as a prison for "wayward women".