The town of Tangermünde was founded around the year 1000 on the watermeadows by the small river Tanger, protected by a castle.
The importance of Tangermünde as a Hanseatic town and secondary residence of Emperor Charles IV is evident in its Brick Gothic buildings. To this day the town has been able to preserve its ancient townscape with numerous half-timbered houses. The old town is almost completely enclosed by an impressive fortification with three remaining gates.
While the mighty castle tower is testimony to early brick building, the town hall, the Neustadt Gate and St. Stephen’s Church are part of the magnificent expansion of the town in the late Middle Ages.