Wartburgkreis is a Kreis (district

District

Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...

) in the west of Thuringia

Thuringia

The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....

, Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) the districts Unstrut-Hainich

Unstrut-Hainich

Unstrut-Hainich is a Kreis in the north of Thuringia, Germany. Neighboring districts are the districts Eichsfeld, Kyffhäuserkreis, Sömmerda, Gotha, Wartburgkreis and the district Werra-Meißner in Hesse.-History:...

, Gotha

Gotha (district)

Gotha is a Kreis in the middle of Thuringia, Germany. Neighboring districts are Unstrut-Hainich, Sömmerda, the district-free city Erfurt, Ilm-Kreis, Schmalkalden-Meiningen and the Wartburgkreis.-History:...

, Schmalkalden-Meiningen

Schmalkalden-Meiningen

Schmalkalden-Meiningen is a Landkreis in the west of Thuringia, Germany. Its neighboring districts are the districts Wartburgkreis, Gotha, Ilm-Kreis, the district-free city Suhl, the district Hildburghausen, the Bavarian district Rhön-Grabfeld, and the district Fulda in Hesse.- History :The...

, and the districts Fulda

Fulda (district)

Fulda is a Kreis in the north-east of Hesse, Germany. Neighboring districts are Hersfeld-Rotenburg, Wartburgkreis, Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Rhön-Grabfeld, Bad Kissingen, Main-Kinzig, Vogelsbergkreis.-History:...

, Hersfeld-Rotenburg

Hersfeld-Rotenburg

Hersfeld-Rotenburg is a Kreis in the east of Hesse, Germany. Neighboring districts are Werra-Meißner, Wartburgkreis, Fulda, Vogelsbergkreis, Schwalm-Eder.-History:...

 and Werra-Meißner in Hesse

Hesse

Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...

. The district-free city Eisenach

Eisenach

Eisenach is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated between the northern foothills of the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park. Its population in 2006 was 43,626.-History:...

 is nearly completely surrounded by the district.

History

The district was created in 1994 by merging the previous districts Eisenach and Bad Salzungen, and a few municipalities from the district Bad Langensalza. The city Eisenach left the district in 1998 and became a district-free city.

The district is named after the Wartburg

Wartburg Castle

The Wartburg is a castle situated on a 1230-foot precipice to the southwest of, and overlooking the town of Eisenach, in the state of Thuringia, Germany...

, a castle near Eisenach most famous as the place of residence of Ludwig, Landgrave of Thuringia and his wife, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary; and, as Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...

's refuge in 1521.

Geography

The district is located in the Thuringian Forest

Thuringian Forest

The Thuringian Forest running northwest to southeast, forms a continuous stretch of ancient rounded mountains posing ample difficulties in transit routing save through a few navigable passes in the southern reaches of the German state of Thuringia. It is about long and wide...

, including the Hainich

Hainich

Hainich is a forested hill chain in the state of Thüringen in Germany, between the towns of Eisenach, Mühlhausen and Bad Langensalza. Hainich covers an area of around 160 km², of which, since 1998, half has been designated as Hainich National Park. The highest point in Hainich is Alte Berg at 494...

 national park. The main river in the district is the Werra

Werra

The Werra is a river in central Germany, the right-source river of the Weser. The Werra has its source near Eisfeld in southern Thuringia. After 293 km the Werra joins the river Fulda in the town of Hann. Münden, forming the Weser....

.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms combines the symbols of the historic states which existed on the territory. In the topleft and the bottomright is the lion of the dukes of Thuringia, the chicken in the topright refers to the county Henneberg Henneberg Henneberg may refer to:*the House of Henneberg, German nobility*County of Henneberg, a mediæval state in the Holy Roman Empire*Henneberg, Thuringia, a municipality in Thuringia, Germany*Mary Jane Henneberg, b. 1973, TV reporter... , and the black cross in the bottomleft is the symbol of the imperial abbey and state of Fulda.

Towns and municipalities

Verwaltungsgemeinschaft-free towns	|and municipalities
Bad Salzungen Bad Salzungen Bad Salzungen is a town in Thuringia, Germany. It is the capital of the Wartburgkreis district. It is situated on the river Werra, 5 km east of Tiefenort and 20 km south of Eisenach. Near the town, there's a Bundeswehr barrack, the Werratal-Kaserne, which was built in 1972 for the GDR Army.... Bad Liebenstein Bad Liebenstein Bad Liebenstein is the oldest spa town in Thuringia . It is situated 9 km east of Bad Salzungen, and 18 km south of Eisenach.A part of Bad Liebenstein is Altenstein, the summer residence of the dukes of Meiningen.... Geisa Geisa Geisa is a town in the Wartburgkreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Rhön Mountains, 26 km northeast of Fulda.The near border with Hesse was the border between West Germany and the GDR during the Cold War... Ruhla Ruhla Ruhla is a town situated in the forest of Thuringia in the district of Wartburgkreis in Germany, immediately next to the Rennsteig. Thal and Kittelsthal are parts of the town.-Church of St. Concordia:... Stadtlengsfeld Stadtlengsfeld Stadtlengsfeld is a town in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Rhön Mountains, 8 km southwest of Bad Salzungen.... Treffurt Treffurt Treffurt is a town in the Wartburgkreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Werra, 19 km northwest of Eisenach, and 18 km southwest of Mühlhausen in the Naturpark Eichsfeld-Hainich-Werratal nature park. Treffurt is well known for its old beautiful villas and...	Buttlar Buttlar Buttlar is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Dorndorf Dorndorf Dorndorf is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Ettenhausen an der Suhl Ettenhausen an der Suhl Ettenhausen an der Suhl is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Frauensee Frauensee Frauensee is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Gerstengrund Gerstengrund Gerstengrund is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Gerstungen Gerstungen Gerstungen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.-History:Between 1945 and 1990 Gerstungen served as East German inner German border crossing on the Thuringian Railway... Hörselberg-Hainich Hörselberg-Hainich Hörselberg-Hainich is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany. It was formed on 1 December 2007 combining the former municipalities of Behringen and Hörselberg.- References :... Leimbach Leimbach, Thuringia Leimbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Marksuhl Marksuhl Marksuhl is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Merkers-Kieselbach Merkers-Kieselbach Merkers-Kieselbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.-Salt mine:The Merkers area of the municipality is famous for its salt mine, in which large amounts of Nazi gold, and many stolen works of art were discovered by the United States Army in 1945. General Dwight D...	Moorgrund Moorgrund Moorgrund is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Schleid Schleid Schleid is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Schweina Schweina Schweina is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Seebach Seebach, Thuringia Seebach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.-See also:... Steinbach Steinbach, Wartburgkreis Steinbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Tiefenort Tiefenort Tiefenort is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Werra, 5 km west of Bad Salzungen, and 8 km east of Vacha, Germany.... Unterbreizbach Unterbreizbach Unterbreizbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Wolfsburg-Unkeroda Wolfsburg-Unkeroda Wolfsburg-Unkeroda is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Wutha-Farnroda Wutha-Farnroda Wutha-Farnroda is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany....

Verwaltungsgemeinschaften
1. Barchfeld Barchfeld (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Barchfeld is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Barchfeld.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Barchfeld consists of the following municipalities:# Barchfeld... Barchfeld Barchfeld Barchfeld is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 1 Immelborn Immelborn Immelborn is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 2. Berka/Werra Berka/Werra (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Berka/Werra is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Berka/Werra.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Berka/Werra consists of the following municipalities:# Berka/Werra... Berka/Werra Berka/Werra Berka/Werra is a town in the Wartburgkreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Werra, 19 km west of Eisenach.-References:... 1, 2 Dankmarshausen Dankmarshausen Dankmarshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Dippach Dippach, Thuringia Dippach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Großensee Großensee, Thuringia Großensee is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 3. Creuzburg Creuzburg (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Creuzburg is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Creuzburg.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Creuzburg consists of the following municipalities:# Creuzburg# Ifta... Creuzburg Creuzburg Creuzburg is a town on the Werra river in the Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany.-Geography:Creuzburg is in the area known as the Muschelkalk... 1, 2 Ifta Ifta Ifta is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Krauthausen Krauthausen Krauthausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany....	4. Dermbach Dermbach (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Dermbach is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Dermbach.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Dermbach consists of the following municipalities:# Brunnhartshausen... Brunnhartshausen Brunnhartshausen Brunnhartshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.-References:... Dermbach Dermbach Dermbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 1 Neidhartshausen Neidhartshausen Neidhartshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Oechsen Oechsen Oechsen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Urnshausen Urnshausen Urnshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Weilar Weilar Weilar is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Wiesenthal Wiesenthal Wiesenthal is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.Meaning "in the meadow"... Zella/Rhön Zella/Rhön Zella/Rhön is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 5. Mihla Mihla (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Mihla is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Berka vor dem Hainich.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Mihla consists of the following municipalities:... Berka vor dem Hainich Berka vor dem Hainich Berka vor dem Hainich is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 1 Bischofroda Bischofroda Bischofroda is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Ebenshausen Ebenshausen Ebenshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Frankenroda Frankenroda Frankenroda is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Hallungen Hallungen Hallungen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Lauterbach Lauterbach, Thuringia Lauterbach is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Mihla Mihla Mihla is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Nazza Nazza Nazza is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany....	6. Oberes Feldatal Oberes Feldatal Oberes Feldatal is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Kaltennordheim.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Oberes Feldatal consists of the following municipalities:... Andenhausen Andenhausen Andenhausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.-Location:The community is located in the southern part of the Thuringian Rhön, it belongs to the Oberes Feldatal, which has its administrative headquarters in the city Kaltennordheim.-Neighboring municipalities:The... Diedorf Diedorf, Thuringia Diedorf is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Empfertshausen Empfertshausen Empfertshausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Fischbach/Rhön Fischbach/Rhön Fischbach/Rhön is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Kaltenlengsfeld Kaltenlengsfeld Kaltenlengsfeld is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Kaltennordheim Kaltennordheim Kaltennordheim is a town in the Wartburgkreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated in the Rhön Mountains, 22 km southwest of Bad Salzungen, and 35 km east of Fulda.... 1 Klings Klings Klings is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... 7. Vacha Vacha (Verwaltungsgemeinschaft) Vacha is a Verwaltungsgemeinschaft in the district Wartburgkreis in Thuringia, Germany. The seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft is in Vacha.The Verwaltungsgemeinschaft Vacha consists of the following municipalities:# Martinroda# Vacha... Martinroda Martinroda Martinroda is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.... Vacha Vacha, Germany Vacha is a town in the Wartburgkreis district, in Thuringia, Germany. It is situated on the river Werra, 15 km west of Bad Salzungen, and 23 km east of Bad Hersfeld.... 1, 2 Völkershausen Völkershausen Völkershausen is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany.In 13 March 1989, it hosted an earthquake of magnitude 5.6, which was triggered by an explosion in the salt mine "Merkers". Much of the building, including the Church and the kindergarten, were damaged and had to be... Wölferbütt Wölferbütt Wölferbütt is a municipality in the Wartburgkreis district of Thuringia, Germany....
1seat of the Verwaltungsgemeinschaft; 2town

External links

• Official website (German)