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Sondershausen

Sondershausen, commune (1994 pop. 22,370), Thuringia, central Germany, near the western foot of Kyffhäuser Mt. It is an industrial city and a potash-mining center. Manufactures include textiles, clothing, and paper. Nearby are petroleum deposits. From the late 16th cent. until 1918 Sondershausen was the capital of the principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. There is a notable palace (16th-18th cent.) in the city.

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Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

Schwarzburg-Sondershausen was a small principality in Germany, in the present day state of Thuringia, with capital at Sondershausen. A county until 1697, in that year it became a principality, and lasted until the fall of the German monarchies in 1918, during the German Revolution. After which it became a republic.

In 1920 it joined with other small states in the area to form the new state of Thuringia. Schwarzburg-Sondershausen had an area of 862 km² and a population of 85,000 (1905). Towns placed in the state were: Arnstadt, Sondershausen, Gehren, Langewiesen, Großbreitenbach, Ebeleben, Großenehrich, Greußen and Plaue.

Rulers of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, 1552–1918

Counts of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

1552–86 John Günther I
1586–1643 Günther XLII, with
1586–1638 Anthony Henry, with
1586–1631 John Günther II, with
1586–1642 Christian Günther I
1642–66 Anthony Günther I
1666–97 Christian William, with
1666–97 Anthony Günther II

Raised to Prince in 1697

Princes of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen

1697–1716 Anthony Günther II
1697 – 10 May 1721: Christian Wilhelm
10 May 1721 – 28 November 1740: Günther XLIII
28 November 1740 – 6 November 1758: Heinrich XXXV
6 November 1758 – 14 October 1794: Christian Günther III
14 October 1794 – 19 August 1835: Günther Friedrich Karl I
19 August 1835 – 15 September 1889: Günther Friedrich Karl II
15 September 1889 – 28 March 1909: Karl Günther

United under Prince Günther of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt

28 March 1909 – November 1918 Prince Günther

Heads of the princely house of Schwarzburg

On the death of the childless Prince Günther Victor in 1925 he was succeeded by Prince Sizzo (1860-1926) who was the son of Prince Friedrich Günther (1793–1867) from his second, morganatic marriage. Prince Sizzo was recognised as a full member of the House of Schwarzburg in 1896.