Coburg

Coburg, the capital of the duchy of Coburg, in the united duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, is picturesquely situated on the left bank of the Itz, 81 miles SSE. of Eisenach by rail. The older part of the town, which is fairly well built, is surrounded by attractive modern suburbs. Coburg is, alternately with Gotha, the ducal residence, and the palace, erected in 1549, is one of the principal buildings in the town. Among the others are the government buildings, the arsenal, containing a public library, the town-house, and the palace of the dukes (built 1549, rebuilt 1693). The old castle of Coburg, mentioned in 1057, beside which Coburg originally grew up, is situated on an eminence 530 feet above the town. It afforded Luther a shelter during the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, and in 1632 successfully resisted a siege by Wallenstein. In 1782 it was converted into a prison, but in 1838 it was thoroughly restored, and now contains valuable collections of engravings, zoology, &c. Luther's apartments are preserved as he used them. Coburg has manufactures of woollen, cotton, marquetry, baskets, porcelain, furniture, and carriages, and exports beer. Pop. (1875) 14,567; (1895) 18,638. Prince Albert, to whom a statue was erected in the market-place of Coburg by Queen Victoria in 1865, was born at Rosenau, a ducal seat 4 miles to the north.