Meiningen, the capital of the German duchy of Saxe-Meiningen, lies in a narrow valley on the banks of the Werra, 43 miles by rail NW. of Coburg. The ducal castle (1682), the most prominent building in the town, contains libraries, a picture-gallery, collection of coins, &c. There is a fine 'English garden' here. The town has been in great part rebuilt since 1874, when a fire destroyed the old streets. It was an appendage of the see of Würzburg from 1008 to 1542, and in 1583 came into the hands of the Saxon ducal family. Pop. (1875) 9521; (1890) 12,029.
The Meiningen Court Company of Actors gained the highest reputation in Germany about 1874, appeared at Drury Lane, London, in 1881, but was dissolved in 1890.