Pforzheim

Pforzheim, the chief manufacturing town of Baden, stands at the northern border of the Black Forest, 20 miles SE. of Carlsruhe by rail. It contains the remains of an ancient castle, from 1300 to 1565 the residence of the Margraves of Baden-Durlach, and was the birthplace of Reuchlin. The town is famous for the manufacture of gold and silver ornaments, in which 8000 people are employed, and has further chemical and iron works, machine-shops, tanneries, paper and other factories. There is a trade in timber, cattle, ornaments, &c. The town was burned by the French in 1689. Pop. (1871) 19,801; (1890) 29,508. See works by Rühl (4th ed. 1888) and Näher (1884).