Aken (Elbe) () is a town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The town is located at the left bank of the river Elbe. Geography Aken located at the Middle Elbe is approximately west of Dessau-Rosslau in extended lowlands within the Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe and approximately west of Aken the Saale river enters the Middle Elbe. Divisions The town Aken consists of Aken proper and the following Ortschaften or municipal divisions: Kleinzerbst Kühren Mennewitz Susigke Growth of population History The castle Gloworp was first mentioned in the 12th century. The town itself was first documented in 1219, naming the mayor Waltherus de Aken. In 1270 Aken received its town charter as Civitas. The name Aken is based on the Latin name Aqua (location at or near the water). Probably this was a foundation from lower rhenish settlers from Aachen which is spelled Aken in the Dutch language. Town twinning Erwitte (North Rhine-Westphalia) since June 17, 1991 Anor (France) since April 24, 1993 Culture and sights historical town hall two medieval churches: St. Nicholas and St. Mary "Stone Kemenate" (heated residential building) from the 13th century with arches town wall from the Middle Ages with 3 remaining towers passenger navigation on the river Elbe Biosphere Reserve Middle Elbe Notable persons Honorary citizens Friedrich Wilhelm Steinbrecht, lieutenant in Lützow Free Corps 2001: Otto Benecke, head of museum of local history 2015: Hansjochen Müller, mayor from 1990 - 2015 2016: Christian Holmes, first Englishman to do an Anmeldung in Aken. Notable people born in Aken August Ludwig Hülsen, (1765–1809), German philosopher of the early romance Theodor von Sickel, (1826–1908), German-Austrian historian Diana Vellguth, entertainer Christian Reike, performer Emilie Winkelmann (1875–1951), architect Karl Witte (1893–1966), bishop in Hamburg Karl Bischoff (1905–1983), Germanist and university teacher Bernd Dießner, (born 1946), German athlete Resident who influenced the history of the city Friedrich Ernst Arnold Werner Nolopp (A teacher, conductor and composer) References External links Official homepage detailed history of town Towns in Saxony-Anhalt Anhalt-Bitterfeld Populated riverside places in Germany Populated places on the Elbe