Plauen
Plauen is a historic town in Saxony, Germany, known as the center of the German embroidery and lace industry, with products protected under the "Plauen Lace" label. Founded by Slavic settlers in the 12th century, it has a complex history, including periods under Bohemian and Saxon rule, significant industrial growth in the late 19th century, and a role during the Nazi era and the German Democratic Republic. The city is also recognized for its impressive Elster Viaduct.
Key Facts
- ›Founded by Polabian Slavs in the 12th century as "Plawe".
- ›Historically a major center for the German embroidery and lace industry, known as "Plauen Lace".
- ›Home to the Elster Viaduct, the second-largest brick bridge in the world.
- ›Played a role in the rise of the Nazi Party and later became a site of Soviet occupation and a center of resistance against the GDR regime.
- ›The city's name and many neighborhood names have Slavic origins.
- ›Experienced significant population decline after World War II from a peak of over 120,000 inhabitants.
Bauhaus-Style
Elster Viaduct, Plauen Lace, Jewish Cemetery, Old City Hall, Johanniskirche, Malzhaus
Plawe
Heinrich Von Plauen, E.O. Plauen, Christoph Pezel, Georg Samuel DöRffel, Johann Von Mayr, Ferdinand Gotthelf Hand, Eduard Friedrich Poeppig, Gustav Hartenstein, Charles Beyer, Emil Kautzsch, Eduard Johnson, Arwed Rossbach, Hermann Vogel, Arthur Hess, Kurt Helbig, Friedrich Hielscher, Paul Wessel, Egon Zill, Werner Hartenstein, Walter Ballhause, Horst Dohlus, Karl Richter, Hans Otte, Klaus Zoephel, Klaus Zink, Angelika Bahmann, Kornelia Ender, Volker Eckert, Matthias Freihof, Andrea Stolletz, Olaf Schubert, Martin Dulig, Philip Geipel, Christian Bahmann, Juliane Pfeil, Christin Zenner, Linda-PhilomèNe Tsoungui, Kassem Taher Saleh, Martin Mutschmann, Manfred Feiler
- Passed To the Kingdom of Bohemia In 1327.
- Captured By the Archbishop of Magdeburg In 1384.
- Passed To Albertine Saxony In 1466.
- Transferred To the Electorate of Saxony In 1569.
- Incorporated Into the Kingdom of Saxony In 1806.
- Became Part of the German Empire In 1871.
- Reached Population Peak Around 1910-1912.
- Hosted the First Chapter of the Nazi Party Outside Bavaria In the 1930s.
- Operated A Prison and Three Subcamps of the FlossenbüRg Concentration Camp During Wwii.
- Stalag 366 Prisoner-of-War Camp Relocated To Plauen In June 1943.
- Occupied By American Troops On April 16, 1945, and Transferred To the Red Army On July 1, 1945.
- Fell Into the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany After 1945.
- First Mass Demonstration Against the Communist Regime In the Gdr Began In Plauen On October 7, 1989.
- Integrated Into the Vogtlandkreis District In 2008.
About Plauen
Plauen is a historic city located in the German state of Saxony, renowned for its significant role in the textile industry, particularly in embroidery and lace production. The city's products are recognized globally under the protected label "Plauener Spitze" (Plauen Lace).
History and Development
Founded by Polabian Slavs in the 12th century as "Plawe," the settlement evolved over centuries, changing hands between various political entities, including the Kingdom of Bohemia and different Saxon electorates. Its strategic location and burgeoning industries led to significant growth, especially in the late 19th century when it became a major center for textile manufacturing, reaching its population peak in the early 20th century. Plauen also experienced periods of considerable upheaval, including its association with the Nazi Party in the 1930s and its role as a site of forced labor and prisoner-of-war camps during World War II. Following the war, it became part of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), hosting a large Soviet garrison. Notably, Plauen was the site of the first mass demonstration against the communist regime on October 7, 1989, an event that preceded the reunification of Germany.
Notable Features and Industry
Beyond its textile heritage, Plauen is distinguished by the Elster Viaduct (Elstertalbrücke), a colossal brick bridge that ranks as the second-largest of its kind worldwide. The city's name and many of its geographical markers reflect its Slavic origins. Plauen also has a documented Jewish history, with a synagogue built in 1930 that was later destroyed in 1938. While no Jewish community exists in Plauen today, commemorative sites, such as the Jewish Cemetery, honor its past. The city continues to be a regional center, with ongoing industrial and infrastructural development.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Plauen founded?
Plauen was founded by Polabian Slavs in the 12th century. It was initially known by the name "Plawe".
What is Plauen famous for?
Plauen is most renowned as the historic center of the German embroidery and lace industry, with its products protected under the label "Plauen Lace." The city is also noted for its Elster Viaduct, a massive brick bridge.
What is the Elster Viaduct?
The Elster Viaduct (Elstertalbrücke) is a significant architectural landmark spanning the valley of the White Elster River. It is recognized as the second-largest bridge constructed entirely from bricks globally.
What historical events took place in Plauen?
Plauen was passed to various rulers throughout its history, including the Kingdom of Bohemia and different Saxon electorates. In the 1930s, it hosted the first Nazi Party chapter outside Bavaria. It also witnessed the beginning of the mass demonstrations against the communist regime in the GDR in 1989.
Does Plauen have a significant Jewish history?
Yes, Plauen had a Jewish community dating back to the early 14th century. A reform-Jewish synagogue was built in 1930 but demolished in 1938 during Kristallnacht. The community suffered greatly during the Nazi era, and today, no Jewish community exists in Plauen, though commemorative sites like the Jewish Cemetery remain.
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