vested with town privileges. In 1635 Prince Frederick made Harzgerode Castle, built in the mid 16th century, the residence of his Anhalt-Harzgerode principality. For centuries, the surrounding Harz mountains were a significant mining area, mainly for fluorite and silver, such as in the preserved Glasebach Pit near the village of Straßberg. Likewise, the Lower Harz Pond and Ditch System is a historic example of mining water resource management, similar to the Upper Harz Water Regale. Harzgerode Castle, as well as Heinrichsberg Castle located near the town quarter of Mägdesprung, mark the historic significance of the region. Nearby are the ruins of Anhalt Castle which gave the entire state its name. Politics Seats in the municipal council (Stadtrat) as of 2014 local elections: Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU): 8 Free Voters: 8 Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD): 2 The Left: 2 Twin towns Harzgerode is twinned with: Leval, Nord, France, since 1999 Bockenem, Germany (Güntersberge) Straßberg, Plauen, Germany (Straßberg) Notable people Prince John George I of Anhalt-Dessau (1567–1618) Veronika Schmidt (born 1952), cross-country skier References External links Duchy of Anhalt