Baireuth

Baireuth, or BAYREUTH, capital of the Bavarian province of Upper Franconia, 43 miles NNE. of Nuremberg by rail. Beautifully situated on the Red Maine, it has broad well-paved streets, interspersed with groves, promenades, fine gardens, and public fountains. Its principal buildings are the old palace, dating from 1454; the new palace (1753), containing a gallery of paintings; and the old opera-house (1748). A magnificent 'national theatre' for the performance of Wagner's music, finished in 1875, was in the following year opened with a grand representation of his Nibelungen trilogy. On 14th February 1883, the great master (who died at Venice) was buried in the garden of his villa here. Baireuth's chief articles of industry are cottons, woollens, linen, leather, tobacco, parchment, and porcelain. An active trade is also carried on in grain and horses. Jean Paul Richter died here in 1825, and a monument has been erected to his memory. Pop. (1871) 17,841; (1890) 24,556; of whom only 15 per cent. are Catholics. See R. Milner-Barry's Baireuth and the Franconian Switzerland (1887).—The witty and accomplished Wilhelmina, Margravine of Baireuth (1709-58), was the favourite sister of Frederick the Great, and in 1731 was married to Frederick, Margrave of Baireuth. Her Memoirs, first published in 1810, were translated into English by the Princess Christian in 1887.