Greiz ( ; ) is a town in the state of Thuringia, Germany, and is the capital of the district of Greiz. Greiz is situated in eastern Thuringia, east of the state capital Erfurt, on the White Elster river.

Greiz has a large park in its centre (Fürstlich Greizer Park) which is classified as an English garden. Thomasstraße, Burgstraße, Marktstraße, Waldstraße, and Leonhardtstraße, with their Jugendstil houses, are well-known examples of that architectural style.

History

As with other nearby settlements, the place name (originally Grouts) is of Slavic origin and means gord. The first documented mention of the settlement dates from 1209. The prime location of Greiz on the confluence of the White Elster river and its tributary Göltzsch helped to make it a fast-growing town. From the 12th century it was governed by advocati (), but in 1236 it came into the possession of Gera. It was recognized as a town in the 13th century. Later the House of Reuss, a ruling German dynasty whose male members were all named Heinrich, built two castles in Greiz: the "Oberes Schloss" (Upper Castle) and the "Unteres Schloss" (Lower Castle). Both were built by famous architects and are still considered unique. Greiz became the capital of the Principality of Reuss-Greiz until 1918.

The town was wholly destroyed by fire in 1494, and almost totally in 1802.

During World War II, Greiz did not suffer much damage, although 3 of the 5 bridges in town were destroyed. Ulf Merbold, who became the first astronaut from West Germany in 1983, was born here in 1941.

Greiz has a population of about 20,400 people. The former municipality Neumühle/Elster was merged into Greiz in December 2019.

Economy

In addition to a chemical works and a disused paper factory, there are mechanical engineering operations, plastics manufacturing businesses, wood machining enterprises, medical technology, suppliers to the automobile industry, printing houses, and breweries. In recent years various high-tech businesses (sensor technology, climate simulators, micro-chip production) and environmental technology companies have been developed.

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File:Greiz - upper castle (aka).jpg|Upper Castle

File:Greiz Schlösser Unteres und Oberes Schloss oberhalb der Weißen Elster Foto 2009 Wolfgang Pehlemann Wiesbaden IMG 0796.jpg|Upper and Lower castles

File:Unteres Schloss Greiz.JPG|Lower Castle

File:Greiz - town panorama (aka).jpg|View over the town

File:Fotothek df n-23 0000089 Werkansicht.jpg|The VEB chemical factory at Greiz-Dölau 1979

File:Alte Papierfabrik Greiz.jpg|The old paper factory

File:Luftaufnahme Oberes Schloss Greiz.jpg|Aerial view of Upper Castle, 2022

File:Luftaufnahme Sommerpalais Greiz Rückseite.png|Sommerpalais (Summer Palais)

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Neighbouring towns and districts

The following are the districts adjacent to Greiz:

  • In the Greiz district: Zeulenroda-Triebes, Langenwetzendorf, Mohlsdorf-Teichwolframsdorf, Berga/Elster
  • In the Vogtlandkreis district (Saxony): Reichenbach im Vogtland, Netzschkau, Elsterberg, Pöhl, Plauen, Rosenbach/Vogtl.

Adjacent towns include:

  • Elsterberg
  • Reichenbach im Vogtland
  • Hohenleuben
  • Werdau

Transport

Greiz station is on the Gera Süd–Weischlitz railway.

Demographics

The current population is about 20,400. Like many towns in the former East Germany, Greiz has suffered from population decline in recent years.

thumb|400px|Population from 1800 to 2016

References

  • Town of Greiz