Saxe-Hildburghausen

Saxe-Hildburghausen (Sachsen-Hildburghausen) was an Ernestine duchy in what is now southern Thuringia, Germany. Its territory was similar to that of the modern Hildburghausen district.

History

Despite its tiny territory, this was an autonomous duchy from 1680 to 1826; in 1684 the capital was moved from Heldburg to Hildburghausen, and the mini-state became known as Saxe-Hildburghausen. The dukes built a palace, a French-style park and other pompous buildings in Hildburghausen.

In 1810, a princess of Saxe-Hildburghausen, Therese, was married to Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, who became king of Bavaria 15 years later; this event is the reason for the Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich.

In 1826, the states of Thuringia were reorganised: the last ruler of Saxe-Altenburg died without an heir; the duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen became his successor, but he had to cede his own realm to Saxe-Meiningen.

In 1868, four districts were established in the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. Hildburghausen was one of these districts, with boundaries very similar to those of the former duchy. It remained almost unchanged until 1993, when the former district of Suhl was dissolved and most of its municipalities joined the district.

Dukes of Saxe-Hildburghausen

• Ernst II (1675–1715)
• Ernst Frederick I (1715–24)
• Ernst Frederick II (1724–45)
• Ernst Frederick III (1745–80)
• Frederick (1780–1825)

Incorporated into Saxe-Meiningen