Köthen, city, Saxony-Anhalt Land (state), east-central Germany, north of Halle. First mentioned in 1115 and known as a market town in 1194, it was a medieval seat of the counts of the Ascanian Dynasties of Ballenstedt; from 1603 until 1847 it was the capital of the princes and dukes of Anhalt-Köthen.
Notable buildings are the residence palace (1597–1604) and the 15th-century St. Jacob’s Church. Lignite (brown coal) mining, sugar-beet growing, and market gardening nearby support the chemical, sugar, and foodstuffs industries in Köthen; heavy engineering and textile production are also important. A chemical-engineering school and a teachers’ training institute are in the city. Köthen is a rail junction and has an airport. Pop. (2003 est.) 31,310.