Anhalt-Dessau

Principality (Duchy) of Anhalt-Dessau
Fürstentum (Herzogtum) Anhalt-Dessau (German)
1396–1561
1603–1863
Flag of Anhalt-Dessau
19th century flag of the Anhalt duchies
The Anhalt principalities, with Anhalt-Dessau in green
The Anhalt principalities, with Anhalt-Dessau in green
Status
CapitalDessau
GovernmentPrincipality
Prince 
• 1396–1405
Sigismund I (first)
• 1751–1807
Leopold III (last)
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Partitioned from Anhalt-Zerbst
1396
• Partitioned to create A-Köthen
1471
• Partitioned to create A-Plötzkau and A-Zerbst

1544
• Annexed back to A-Zerbst (later: Anhalt)

1561–1603
• Raised to duchy
1807
• Merged with Anhalt-Köthen
1853
• Duchy of Anhalt reunited
1863
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst
Duchy of Anhalt
Today part ofGermany

Anhalt-Dessau was a principality of the Holy Roman Empire and later a duchy of the German Confederation. Ruled by the House of Ascania, it was created in 1396 following the partition of the Principality of Anhalt-Zerbst, and finally merged into the re-united Duchy of Anhalt in 1863. The capital of the state was Dessau in present-day Saxony-Anhalt.