Rudolstadt


Rudolstadt is a town in the German federal state Thuringia, with the Thuringian Forest to the southwest, and to Jena and Weimar to the north.
The former capital of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, the town is built along the River Saale inside a wide valley surrounded by woods. Rudolstadt was founded in 776 and has had municipal law since 1326. The town's landmark is the Castle Heidecksburg which is enthroned on a hill above the old town. The former municipality Remda-Teichel was merged into Rudolstadt in January 2019.
Rudolstadt was once well known because of the Anchor Stone Blocks of the Toy Company Richter and porcelain factories, beginning with the establishment of the Volkstedt porcelain manufacture in 1762.

History

Early History

There is archeological evidence of a hill fort on the Weinberg in Oberpreilipp from the time of the late Urnfield culture and the early Iron Age. A Celtic settlement followed the Germanic one and the affiliation with the Duchy of Thuringia. From the 6th Century onwards, archeological records suggest Slavic settlement in the area.
The first documented mention of the placename was in 776 as Rudolfestat as a gift from Charlemagne to Hersfeld Abbey

Historical Population

Number of Inhabitants :
1 29 October

2 31 August

Culture

Rudolstadt hosts Germany's biggest folk, roots, and world music festival, TFF Rudolstadt, taking place annually on the first full July weekend.
Rudolstadt is twinned with Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland.
Since 2012 Rudolstadt hosts :de:Gettingtough – The Race|Getting tough race, Europe's hardest obstacle race.

Economy

The headquarters of the EPC Group, a global engineering and construction company, are in Rudolstadt.

Notable people from Rudolstadt