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= Geography = | = Geography = | ||
Schleiz is | Schleiz is a town in the district/county of Saale-Orla Kreis, Thüringen, Germany. | ||
[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Schleiz_in_SOK.png upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Schleiz_in_SOK.png] | [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Schleiz_in_SOK.png upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Schleiz_in_SOK.png] | ||
Schleiz is in the Thuringian Vogtland area, an area of wooded hills on the borders of Thuringia, Saxony, Bavaria and the Czech Republic. The city is located in a valley with the river Wisenta near the motorway A 9 (Berlin – München). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schleiz | Schleiz is located in the Thuringian Vogtland area, an area of wooded hills on the borders of Thuringia, Saxony, Bavaria and the Czech Republic. The city is located in a valley with the river Wisenta near the motorway A 9 (Berlin – München). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schleiz | ||
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= History = | = History = | ||
Anciently, the area of Schleiz consisted of dense forest, lakes and ponds, and inhospitable climate. Only as more arable land was needed, was the land cleared and small settlements were established which also provided shelter and supplies along | Anciently, the area of Schleiz consisted of dense forest, lakes and ponds, and inhospitable climate. Only as more arable land was needed, was the land cleared and small settlements were established which also provided shelter and supplies along trade routes which passed through the area. | ||
Schleiz was inhabited by Slavic Tribes as early as the 7th Century as the town name in 1232, Slowicz, suggests. Also known as “Ort des Slavomir” or “place of Slavomir,” this community became known as the “Altstadt,” (“Old City”) when a new town sprang up next to it in the 13th century. This town, which included a castle and was enclosed by a city wall, was called “Neustadt” (“New City.”) These towns continued to be part of ancient trade routes, including the important trade route between Venice and Leipzig, home of the Leipzig fair. | Schleiz was inhabited by Slavic Tribes as early as the 7th Century as the town name in 1232, Slowicz, suggests. Also known as “Ort des Slavomir” or “place of Slavomir,” this community became known as the “Altstadt,” (“Old City”) when a new town sprang up next to it in the 13th century. This town, which included a castle and was enclosed by a city wall, was called “Neustadt” (“New City.”) These towns continued to be part of ancient trade routes, including the important trade route between Venice and Leipzig, home of the Leipzig fair. | ||
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The Slavs were under the rule of Otto I (912-973) whose territory was divided into seven counties (Markgrafschaften). Schleiz belonged to the County of Zeitz, which was dissolved in the year 1113. | The Slavs were under the rule of Otto I (912-973) whose territory was divided into seven counties (Markgrafschaften). Schleiz belonged to the County of Zeitz, which was dissolved in the year 1113. | ||
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 | 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. | ||
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. | |||
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. The trade routes that had passed through Schleiz and contributed to its economic status were stopped and the new trade routes passed through Saxony. | |||
Schleiz has been affected by fires, wars and epidemics. The 30-year war (1618-1648) reduced the population by half. In 1575 over 600 people died of the plague, one quarter of the population. In this year, 25 July, the body of Hans von Kospoth was brought from Egypt to Schleiz, his hometown, for burial. The coffin was opened for viewing, as was the custom, and through this, the plague was spread. The choir members died first, followed by others who attended the funeral and then many others who were infected by those who had attended the funeral. [http://www.steinengel.de/ www.steinengel.de/]<br> | Schleiz has been affected by fires, wars and epidemics. The 30-year war (1618-1648) reduced the population by half. In 1575 over 600 people died of the plague, one quarter of the population. In this year, 25 July, the body of Hans von Kospoth was brought from Egypt to Schleiz, his hometown, for burial. The coffin was opened for viewing, as was the custom, and through this, the plague was spread. The choir members died first, followed by others who attended the funeral and then many others who were infected by those who had attended the funeral. [http://www.steinengel.de/ www.steinengel.de/]<br> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
For several years, Schleiz was the working place of Konrad Duden. From 1869 to 1876 he was headmaster of | For several years, Schleiz was the working place of Konrad Duden. From 1869 to 1876 he was headmaster of Schleiz High School where he worked to unify German spelling. During his tenure there he published the work “Die deutsche Rechtschreibung” (The German spelling). Today, the former high school is now the home of the Duden Museum. | ||
Widely visible on a ridge, separated from the city | Widely visible on a ridge, separated from the city by Wisenta Valley, is Schleiz Bergkirche (Mountain Church), one of the most beautiful and important churches in eastern Thuringia and the burial place of the lords of Gera and the House of Reuss j. L. This late-Gothic church with its Baroque interior has experienced many changes throughout the centuries. | ||
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 " Schleiz House" 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 housed a museum until it was bombed in 1945 during World War II. Only two tower ruins remain. | 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 " Schleiz House" 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 housed a museum until it was bombed in 1945 during World War II. Only two tower ruins remain. | ||