Delitzsch was founded as a town around 1200 AD (according to chronicles) and became recognized as a city in 1300 AD. Both before and after its founding, the city fought off many invaders: first the
Slavic tribes who had lived there before the city was founded and then, later, in the
Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), the
Swedes. A
legend arose from this final encounter with the Swedes, saying that when the Swedes reached the river
Lober, the tower warden's daughter spied them and blew a trumpet, allowing the citizens of the town to get to safety and prepare, and as a result the invaders were defeated. Every year there is a historical medieval style fair to celebrate this victory over the Swedes and, during the fair, shops are open on Sundays. As a result of the
Congress of Vienna in 1814–15, Delitzsch was granted to
Prussia from the
Kingdom of Saxony. A
district of Delitzsch was established for administrative purposes. From 1815 to 1944, Delitzsch was part of the
Prussian Province of Saxony, from 1944 to 1945 of the Province of
Halle-Merseburg, from 1945 to 1952 of the State of
Saxony-Anhalt, from 1952 to 1990 of the
Bezirk Leipzig of
East Germany and since 1990 of
Saxony. In
World War II (1939–1945), only one building, the station, was burned, minimal damage in comparison with many other German urban centers. According to a 1996 census, Delitzsch had more than 27,000 inhabitants.
Historical population 1747–1999 (using town boundaries as at the time) ¹ Census ² Merging districts Source: Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen
2000–present (using town boundaries as at the time) ¹ Merging districts Source: Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen ==Politics==