Schleiz, Germany: Difference between revisions

Schleiz then came under the rule of a branch of the Lobdeburgers, a Frankish noble family headquartered in Jena. This family dynasty became extinct in 1289 and Schleiz was involved in many inheritance disputes, finally coming under the rule of the Vögte (Lord protectors) of Gera in 1318. Schleiz was first documented as a town in1297<br>After the battle of Mühlberg in1547 (Schmalkalden war) the Vögte of Gera lost their claim to power. The new owner was Henry IV of the Meißnerischen-line of the Vögte of Plauen. With the extinction of the last Castle of Meiβen (1572) the territory from Plauen to Greiz fell to Lord Reuss. <br>In 1666, Schleiz became the main residence for the House of Reuss and in 1805, the House of Reuss changed its status from Herrschaft (Lordship) to Fürstentum (Principality). After the extinction of the House of Gera and the abdication of the prince of Ebersdorf, Reuss j. L. moved the state government in 1848 to the economically more developed Gera. Schleiz was now only a summer residence. <br>The trade routes that had passed through Schleiz and contributed to its economic status were stopped and the new trade routes passed through Saxony.  

In 1837 was the town hall, the church and the castle and many houses were destroyed by fire, so the town has few medieval buildings left. One remaining historic building is the “Alte Münze” (Old Mint) in New Market. This building, first recorded in 1647 as a home, was turned into a mint in 1678 and is now a Reuss cultural center. The father of Johann Friedrich Böttger, the inventor of Meissen porcelain, was employed at the Old Mint until the mint was closed in 1681. One year later, J.F. Böttger was born and his family left Schleiz.  

Only the remains of Schleiz Castle can be seen today. Once a stronghold of the Lords of Lobdeburg (12th century), in 1367 this castle was called the "House Schleiz" by the Vögte of Gera. After a fire in 1500, the first castle was rebuilt by Sir Henry XII. From 1647-1848 it was the main residence of Reuss-Schleiz j. L. another fire ravaged the castle in 1837. From 1848-1918 it was the summer residence or secondary residence of Reuss j. L. as well as the administrative seat of the Oberland. Since 1925, the castle became a museum until it was bombed in 1945, during World War II. Only two tower ruins remain.&nbsp;  

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