Gräfenthal

Infobox German Location
Art = Stadt
image_photo =
Wappen = Wappen Graefenthal.pnglat_deg = 50 |lat_min = 32 |lat_sec = 0
lon_deg = 11 |lon_min = 18 |lon_sec = 0
Lageplan =
Bundesland = Thuringia
Landkreis = Saalfeld-Rudolstadt
Höhe = 400
Fläche = 36.45
Einwohner = 2674
Stand = 2006-06-30
PLZ = 98743
Vorwahl = 036703
Kfz = SLF
Gliederung = 8
Straße = Marktplatz 1
Website = [http://www.graefenthal.de/ www.graefenthal.de]
Bürgermeister = Henry Bechtoldt

Gräfenthal is a town in the district of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt in Thuringia, Germany.

Geography

Gräfenthal is located in the southern Thüringer Schiefergebirge, a low mountain range south-eastern of the better known Thuringian Forest. Mountains in this region rise up to 800 meters above sea level and are usually wooded with spruce trees. 20km north-eastern of Gräfenthal lies district town Saalfeld.

Neighboring municipalities (clockwise, starting northwards) are: Reichmannsdorf, Probstzella, Ludwigsstadt, Tettau, Oberland am Rennsteig, Piesau, Lichte, Schmiedefeld

Gräfenthal has 8 subdivisions:
*Buchbach
*Creunitz
*Gebersdorf
*Gräfenthal
*Großneundorf
*Lichtenhain
*Lippelsdorf
*Sommersdorf

History

In 1288 the town was first mentioned. It was for much of its early history under various Ernestine princelings.

Buildings

*Castle Wespenstein
*Grenz- und Heimatmuseum Gräfenthal
*Town church, with restored Art Nouveau mural paintings.
*Railway viaduct

Economy and infrastructure

Erstwhile mining and the location at the route for commerce between Nuremberg and Leipzig were important economical factors. Mainly iron, slate and alum had been mined. During the 20th century Gräfenthal was well known for its porcelain products. From the formerly three manufacturies only one is still in existence. Today a plastics factory is the main employer.

Gräfenthal lies on the road between Neuhaus am Rennweg and Probstzella. Further roads lead to surrounding municipalities. The town used to be connected to the railway-system up until the line section between Sonneberg and Probstzella became disused due to lacking profitability.