Zwickau

History

The region around Zwickau was settled by Slavs as early as the 7th century. In the 10th century, German settlers began arriving and the native Slavs were Christianized. A trading place known as Zcwickaw was mentioned in 1118 as a trading place. The settlement received a town charter in 1212 and hosted Franciscans and Cistercians during the 13th century. Zwickau was a free imperial city from 1290-1323, but was granted to the margraves of Meissen afterward. Although regional mining began in 1316, extensive mining increased with the discovery of silver in the Schneeberg in 1470.

Related Topics:
Slavs - 7th century - 10th century - 1118 - 1212 - Franciscans - Cistercians - 13th century - 1290 - 1323 - Margrave - Meissen - 1316 - Silver - Schneeberg - 1470

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The Anabaptist movement of 1525 began at Zwickau under the inspiration of the "Zwickau prophets." Confessional warfare plundered the city during the Thirty Years War.

Related Topics:
Anabaptist - 1525 - Zwickau prophets - Thirty Years War

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The composer Robert Schumann was born in Zwickau in 1810 in a house which still stands in the marketplace.

Related Topics:
Robert Schumann - 1810

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From 1949-1990 Zwickau belonged to East Germany and was a center for the mining of coal.

Related Topics:
1949 - 1990 - East Germany - Coal

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