The Slav district of Ciervisti (948), seized by Boleslaw I of Poland in 1007.
Albert the Bear built a German castle in place of the Slav water castle; it is first documented in 1196. A settlement in the outer bailey has a church consecrated about 1215; the first Zerbst coin dates from about 1214; stone walls about 1250. The margraves later enfeoff the lords of Barby (holders by 1278), who sell to Albert I of Anhalt in 1307.
Who holds it
- Name
- Margrave Otto II
- Title
- Lord
- Since
- not pinned
- Confidence
- medium
Zerbst/Anhalt, de.wikipedia; Schloss Zerbst, de.wikipedia
Lord in 1200
The margrave's castle (castellan not pinned).
How things stand that morning
Margrave's castle and settlement south of the Fläming.
Charter
Not yet a chartered town.
Council
None yet.
Walls and castle
Castle with outer and main bailey and moat.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Castle first named 1196; nothing on its keepers.
Primary sources for Brandenburg (Otto II)
Chronicles, registers, sagas and inscriptions written in or near 1200 that cover this entry. Each has its own page with editions, translations and where to read it.
- Annals of Pegau; Annals of Magdeburg (12th and 13th centuries; Pegau continued to 1227). The annals of the Wettin lands and of Magdeburg. Read online
- Chronicle of the Lauterberg (Petersberg near Halle), Konrad of Lauterberg (about 1225). The house chronicle of the Wettin foundation on the Lauterberg, sharp-tongued and well informed on Saxony, Meissen and Magdeburg. Read online
- Deeds of the archbishops of Magdeburg (main text to 1142, continued in the 13th and 14th centuries). The Magdeburg house history, with a continuation covering Archbishop Ludolf of Kroppenstedt (1192 to 1205), a firm supporter of Philip who hosted the king's Christmas court at Magdeburg on 25 December 1199. Read online
- Pomeranian charter book, volume 1, 786 to 1253 (documents of 786 to 1253, edited 1868). All known charters for Pomerania and Rügen to 1253. Read online
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.