Altenburg

Altenburg, city, Thuringia Land (state), central Germany. It lies along the Pleisse River, at the southern edge of the central German brown-coal deposits, south of Leipzig. First mentioned in 976 as the site of a watchtower near an old Slav fortress, it was a trading centre and royal residence in the 12th century. It passed to the Saxon house of Wettin in 1243 and was the capital of the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg in 1603–72 and 1826–1918. The city is known as the birthplace of the three-handed card game skat. There is a playing card museum in the old ducal castle. Notable buildings include the castle church, the town hall (1562–64), and the 15th-century St. Bartholomew Church. The Lindenau Museum has a large art collection. Aside from the manufacture of playing cards for which it is best known, Altenburg has other light industries. Environmentally dangerous uranium mining took place there, under Soviet control, during the East German socialist era. A massive reclamation project for the mines was begun in the late 20th century. Pop. (2005) 37,781.