The district was a swampy and unpopulated area in the early Middle Ages.

The present district is roughly identical with the old county of Brehna, which ruled the area from the 10th to the 13th century.

The East German government tried to establish a socialistic industrial centre in the Bitterfeld region.

The city of Bitterfeld and the entire district were infamous for polluted air, poisoned rivers and devastated landscape.

The Mulde River crossed the district from south to north.