Schweinfurt

Schweinfurt (in German literally 'swine ford') is a city in the Lower Franconia region of Bavaria in Germany on the right bank of the navigable Main River, which is spanned by several bridges here, 27 km northeast of Würzburg.

History

The city was first documented in the year 790, although as early as 740 a settlement called Villa Suinfurde was mentioned. In the 10th century Schweinfurt was the seat of a margraviate. After the defeat of count Henry of Schweinfurt in 1002/1003, in the feud against King Henry II of Germany, his family lost its leading position in the town. In the first half of the 13th century Schweinfurt expanded to become a proper city with city wall, towers and city gates. At that time the Nikolaus hospital was founded, a mint was established and construction work on the Saint Johannis church began.

Around 1250 Schweinfurt was totally destroyed during a feud between the Earl of Henneberg and the Prince-Bishop of Würzburg. In the following years it was reconstructed. A document from 1282 signed by King Rudolf I of Habsburg states that Schweinfurt was a free city within the Holy Roman Empire. At least since then the coat of arms of Schweinfurt has been an imperial white eagle.

Schweinfurt (district)

Schweinfurt is a Kreis (district) in the northwestern part of Bavaria, Germany. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Bad Kissingen, Rhön-Grabfeld, Haßberge, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Würzburg and Main-Spessart. The district-free city Schweinfurt is surrounded by the district.

Geography

Primary rivers in the district are the Main and the Wern. It is located between several hill chains - Haßberge to the east, the Rhön in the northwest, the Spessart to the west and the Steigerwald in the southeast.

History

The area of the district became part of Bavaria in 1814. In 1972 parts of the previous district Gerolzhofen (including the town Gerolzhofen) was merged with the district.

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

References

External links

Coordinates: 50°00′N 10°15′E / 50.0°N 10.25°E / 50.0; 10.25