Weißensee, Thuringia

Weißensee (German for "white lake") is a town in the district of Sömmerda, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated 6 km northwest of Sömmerda, and 25 km north of Erfurt. The former municipality Herrnschwende was merged into Weißensee in January 2019.

Weißensee
Coat of arms
Location of Weißensee within Sömmerda district
Weißensee
Weißensee
Coordinates: 51°11′0″N 11°4′0″E
CountryGermany
StateThuringia
DistrictSömmerda
Government
 • MayorPeter Albach (CDU)
Area
 • Total55.33 km2 (21.36 sq mi)
Elevation
143 m (469 ft)
Population
 (2018-12-31)[1]
 • Total3,719
 • Density67/km2 (170/sq mi)
Time zoneCET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes
99631
Dialling codes036374
Vehicle registrationSÖM
Websitewww.weissensee.de

History

Weissensee is one of a very few towns which was actually planned in the Middle Ages. Founded in the second half of the 12th century by Jutta Claricia, Landgravine of Thuringia and sister of Emperor Frederick I, it gained market rights in 1198 and city rights in 1265. Due to its excellent strategic position between two lakes – from which the town takes its name – and a ridge of hills, Weissensee rapidly became a very important trade centre, especially for fish and woad.

Some notable figures lived on the Runneburg and in 1446 William III, Landgrave of Thuringia adopted the first Thuringian constitution. During the Renaissance the town became less important and the two lakes were drained. But after the Congress of Vienna in 1814 it was awarded to Prussia and underwent a revival as district capital.

Weissensee is famous for its medieval castle, one of the largest in Thuringia, and for its annual Bierfest.

References
  1. "Bevölkerung der Gemeinden, erfüllenden Gemeinden und Verwaltungsgemeinschaften nach Geschlecht in Thüringen Gebietsstand: 31.12.2018". Thüringer Landesamt für Statistik (in German). September 2019.
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