Stendal

Town in the Land (administrative region) of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, 56 km/35 mi northeast of Magdeburg; population (2005 est) 37,100. There are metal, chemical, and food industries, and it is an important railway junction. In the second half of the 13th century Stendal was the capital of the area known as the Mark Brandenburg (Brandenburg Marches). The cathedral, begun in 1188, was rebuilt in the 14th century in the Gothic style.

The old town retains parts of the fortifications, including two ancient gateways, and a Roland pillar which denotes municipal freedom and independence.