Merseburg

Merseburg, on the river Saale in southern Saxony-Anhalt, is one of central Germany's oldest towns, with a history stretching back to at least the 9th century and a cathedral-and-palace ensemble at its core. The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, founded in 1015 and rebuilt across the 13th and 16th centuries, stands alongside a 15th-century episcopal palace and its garden. The town is also home to the German Museum of Chemistry and a university, and sits within easy reach of both Leipzig and Halle.

• Population34,780
• Nearest water from center 0.2 km0.2 mi
• Nearest mountain from center 2.6 km1.6 mi