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Flensburg, Germany's northermost town, is situated at the western end of the Flensburger Förde (Firth of Flensburg). The first village was founded by Danish fishermen in the 12th century and soon became an important trading place. In 1284 it was chartered as a town by the Danish King Valdemar IV. When King Christian I became Duke of Schleswig and Count of Holstein in 1460, Flensburg became part of the Danish kingdom and remaind so for next four centuries. By the 16th century, Flensburg became the most important Danish trading town for the whole Baltic region. The Reformation was introduced in the city in 1525. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) and the Nordic War (1700–1721) destroyed Flensburg's wealth for a long time. By the 18th century, however, Flensburg had recovered its strong position in seafaring, ship-building, trading and crafts. The rum trade with the West Indies earned it the nick name 'rum city' of that time. During the 19th century, the struggles between Denmark and Germany over the border region began. The revolt of Schleswig-Holstein against Denmark (1848–1851) eventually led to the German-Danish War of 1864. The war ended with the Treaty of Gastein (Gasteiner Konvention) 1865. Prussia received the duchies of Lauenburg and Schleswig, whereas Austria was given control over Holstein. In 1867 Holstein also became Prussian and since then formed the Prussian province of Schleswig-Holstein. After World War I, the population of Flensburg decided in 1920 in a referendum to stay with Germany, but the northern parts of the region became parts of Denmark. At the end of world War II, Großadmiral Karl Dönitz, also Reichspräsident since 1 May 1945, and the German government had taken refuge in the naval station of Mürwik at Flensburg. It was from here that Dönitz declared Germany's unconditional capitulation in a radio broadcast on 8 May 1945.

The Nordertor [left, no.1310: top left] was built in 1595 and marked the northern boundary of the city for 200 years. Between 1881 and 1903 several plans to tear down the edifice were dismissed by the city government. In 1913/1914 the gate was renovated and since then is a beloved landmark of Flensburg.