Kyffhäuserkreis

Infobox German district noregbez
name=Kyffhäuserkreis
state=Thuringia
capital=Sondershausen
area=1,035
population=91,940
population_as_of=2002
density=89
carsign=KYF
url=http://www.kyffhaeuser.de

The Kyffhäuserkreis is a district in the northern part of Thuringia, Germany. Neighboring districts are the districts Mansfeld-Südharz, Saalekreis und Burgenlandkreis in Saxony-Anhalt, and the districts Sömmerda, Unstrut-Hainich and Eichsfeld.

History

In the 12th century there was a castle on the Kyffhäuser mountains, which was built during the reign of emperor Frederick I. According to the local legend, the emperor did not die, but instead went to sleep in this castle.

From 1579 on the region belonged to Saxony, and after 1815 it was divided between the Prussian Province of Saxony and Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.

In 1952 the two districts of Artern and Sondershausen were established. These districts were merged in 1994, with only a few municipalities joining other districts.

Partnerships

The district has a partnership with the district Ahrweiler in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was actually established with the district Artern in 1990.

Geography

The district is named after the "Kyffhäuser" mountains. The main river is the Unstrut, which flows through the east of the district.

Coat of arms

External links

* [http://www.kyffhaeuser.de Official website] (German)
* [http://www.kyffhaeuser-tourismus.de Touristic website] (English, German)