Dessau is a city in the federal state of Sachsen-Anhalt. Until 2007, Dessau was the third largest city in Sachsen-Anhalt, after Halle and Magdeburg, and one of three regional centres of the state. On the 1st July 2007, the independently administered city of Dessau became part of the new independently administered city Dessau-Roßlau. Halle (an der Saale) is located approximately 40 km south west of Dessau; Leipzig approximately 52 km south and Magdeburg approximately 65 km north west. Historically Dessau was the capital city and royal seat of the Princedom (later Duchy) of Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt.