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Finsterwalde is situated at an altitude of 108 m in the Elbe-Elster district of southern Brandenburg. With a population of about 19,000 (2004) it is the largest town of the district, although not the seat of the district's administration (this is Herzberg/Elster).

Finsterwalde began to develop next to a stronghold that had been founded by Slavic people. The oldest written mention of Vynsterwalde dates from 1282. In 1301 it was first mentioned as 'oppidum', a market town. The oldest secure mention of Finsterwalde as a town is found in a document of 1336. Until the mid 15th century, the old stronghold was enlarged into a castle which was the seat of robber barons. After 1437 the castle was transformed into a residential castle. The remodeling in Renaissance style was finally completed after 1533. Clothmaking became the most imoprtant factor for the town's economy during that period. In 1625 Finsterwalde became a personal property of Elector Johann Georg I of Saxony. However, the castle did not become a residence but was used for administrative purposes of the Electorate, between 1652 and 1738 of those of the collateral line of Saxe-Merseburg. During of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) Finsterwalde was looted in 1642. This was severe blow for the town and it took decades until it could flourish again. In 1815, after the Congress of Vienna, Finsterwalde became part of the Kingdom of Prussia. During the 19th century it was again cloth-making that became the centre of the industrial activities of the town.

The large Market Square (Marktplatz) [top left picture] marks the centre of the old town. The Baroque Town Hall [background right] was completed in 1739, more than sixty years after a fire had destroyed the previous structure. The oldest mention of a town hall in Finsterwalde dates alrady from 1492.

The top right picture on glass no.2014 shows the soldiers' monument and the entrance to the municipal park.

The Secondary Modern School (Realschule) [bottom left] was built in 1904–1905. Between 1945 and 1993 the building was used as a military hospital by the Soviet Army. After extensive renovation works it is today used again as a school.

The bottom right picture shows a view of Cottbusser Straße (Cottbus Street). The tower depicted in the background of the picture is the water tower, which has become the landmark of Finsterwalde. The water tower was constructed in 1910 together with the municipal water works. The height of the tower is 54 m.