Apolda is a town in Thuringia, Germany, the capital of the Weimarer Land district. It is situated near the river Ilm, c. 15 km east by north from Weimar, on the main line of railway from Berlin via Halle, to Frankfurt.

History

Apolda was first mentioned in 1119. Until 1633 it was seat of a family of nobles, the Vitzthums, which acted relatively independent. Between 1633 and World War I Apolda was property of Jena University. Nevertheless, from 1691 on Apolda was part of the Duchy (after 1815 Grand Duchy) of Saxe-Weimar. Around 1700, the knitting industry began to grow, so that finally, at the end of the 19th century, Apolda was the wealthiest town of the whole region. After World War II, Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic. Up to German reunification Apolda still was famous for its textile industries. Since then, a notable economic decay has taken place.

Main sights

It has few notable public buildings, but possesses three churches and monuments to the Doberman Pinscher dog breed, which was created in Apolda, and to Christian Zimmermann (1759-1842), who, by introducing the hosiery and cloth manufacture, made Apolda one of the most important places in Germany in these branches of industry. It has also had extensive dyeworks, bell foundries, and manufactures of steam engines, boilers, cars and bicycles. After German reunification the majority of these had to be closed down for economical reasons.

The most important sights are:

• St. Martin's Church (1119), details in Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque style
• Town Hall (1558/9), in Renaissance style
• Castle (16th/17th century)
• Railway viaduct (1845/46)
• Zimmermann factory building (1880-2)
• Lutherkirche (1894)
• St. Boniface's Church (1894)

The largest free hanging bell in the world, the Decke Pitter of Cologne Cathedral, was made in Apolda. Apolda also has mineral springs.

Twin towns

• Mark Municipality, Sweden
• Rapid City, South Dakota, United States

References

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