Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Spandau

SPANDAU, a town and first-class fortress of Prussia; situated at the confluence of the Havel and the Spree; 8 miles W. by N. of Berlin. The principal defense of the capital on that side, it has very strong modern fortifications, including a citadel. In the “Julius tower” of this structure is preserved in gold the “Reichskriegsschatz”—$30,000,000 that the government, according to a law of 1871, keeps in reserve for a great war. Spandau before the World War was the seat of large government cannon foundries, factories for making gunpowder and other munitions of war, and has an arsenal. The town, one of the oldest of Brandenburg, was a favorite residence of the electors. It surrendered to the Swedes in 1634, to the French in 1806, and in 1813 to the Prussians. Pop. about 90,000.