Page 189 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

EASTERN GERM AN Y  187

THURINGIA

Thuringia is a beautiful state, with much to entice the visitor.
The Thuringian Forest, in the south, is a highland area densely
covered with spruce, beech and oak forests, inviting visitors to
ramble along its enchanted trails, while the area’s medieval
abbeys, castles and charming small towns are popular
destinations with those who are interested in art and history.

The Kingdom of Thuring, as it was known After World War II, Thuringia was initially
in the 5th century, was conquered by occupied by the US Army, but it soon
the Franks in the following century. The passed into the Soviet sphere of influence,
demise of the Thuringian landgraves, and in 1949 it became part of the GDR.
who had ruled here for hundreds of years, In 1952 Thuringia lost its status as a
resulted in the outbreak of the Thuringian federal state, but this was later restored in
War of Secession. It ended in 1264, with the reunited Federal Republic of Germany,
most of Thuringia falling into the hands in 1990.
of the Wettin dynasty. The majority of tourist attractions can
Split into several smaller principalities, be found in the southern part of the state.
the region lost its political might, but, The Thuringian Forest has many popular
driven by the ambitions of many of its health resorts and wintersport centres,
rulers, magnificent castles, churches and such as Oberhof. This highland area,
abbeys were built everywhere. Thanks cut with deep river gullies, is littered
to enlightened royal sponsors many with medieval castles built on steep
towns became important cultural centres, crags. Many of these are now no more
such as 18th-century Weimar, whose than picturesque ruins, but others, such
residents at one time included Johann as the Wartburg, have been completely
Wolfgang von Goethe, Fried rich Schiller, restored to their former glory, and
Johann Gottfried Herder and Christoph today delight visitors with their
Martin Wieland. magnificent interiors.

Schloß Belvedere, the royal summer residence in Weimar
A stream running through the beautiful Thüringer Wald (Thuringian Forest)

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