Coburg

Currently almost 41,000 inhabitants live in the city on the river Itz in the extreme northwest of the administrative district of Upper Franconia near the border with Thuringia. Coburg was first mentioned in writing in 1056 in a deed of donation, and from the end of the 16th century until 1918 it was the capital and residence of various independent duchies. By far the most famous local sight is the massive castle complex Veste Coburg ("Franconian Crown") from the 13th to the 19th century, which houses unique art collections with coin and copperplate engraving cabinets as well as historical armor and weapons. Equally popular and frequently visited are the 14th-century Morizkirche church, the former city residence Ehrenburg Castle and the Landestheater including the Hall of Mirrors.