In 1359 Havelberg became a member of the Hanseatic League and developed into a trade center with a booming economy.

Havelberg was formerly a strong fortress, but during the Thirty Years' War it was taken from the Danish by the imperial troops in 1627.

[3] When the German states were dissolved in East Germany in 1952, Havelberg became part of the district of Magdeburg.

[6] It is on a hill offering a beautiful view of the old town centre where St. Laurentius, a parish church which was built around 1300, deserves a visit.

The oldest house is Beguinenhaus at Salzmarkt (Salt Market) built from sandstone in 1390 with a stone relief which was carved around 1400 above the entrance.