Arnstadt

Arnstadt stands on the Gera at the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest. A gift recorded in 704 names it as Arnestati, making it one of the earliest documented places in Thuringia. It passed to Hersfeld Abbey, whose abbot granted town rights in 1266. Trade in wood, grain, wine and woad, together with clothmaking and milling, supported its prosperity. In 1332 the abbey sold its remaining rights over the town to the counts of Schwarzburg.

Arnstadt became a Schwarzburg residence, protected by strong fortifications that resisted attempts by Erfurt to take it in 1342 and 1345. The counts divided their lands in 1496, making Arnstadt the centre of an upper lordship. The town also became closely associated with the Bach family: Johann Sebastian Bach held his first position as organist at the New Church from 1703 to 1707, following several relatives who had served as court, council or church musicians.