- Schwarzburg

The house of Schwarzburg is one of the oldest and noblest in Thuringia. Tradition traces its descent from Widukind and the kings of the Franks. Its historical ancestors were the counts of Kaefernburg, from whom the counts of Schwarzburg sprang about the beginning of the I3th century.

The name Guenther became the distinctive name for the members of this house. Various subdivisions and collateral lines were formed. By 1599 all were extinct except Schwarzburg-Sondershausen and Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt. Count Guenther XL, who died in 1552, was the last common ancestor of both lines.

The possessions of the house of Schwarzburg consist of the upper barony in Thuringia, on the Gera, Ilm and Saale, and the lower barony on the Wipper and Helbe.

Both Schwarzburg-Sondershausen and Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt were raised to the dignity of imperial prince and in 1713 a treaty of mutual succession was made between the two families. In 1807 both entered the Confederation of the Rhine and became sovereign states. Both states entered the German League and were principalities and independent members of the German empire until 1918.

Princess Anne Sophia of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt married Franz Josias of Saxe Coburg Saalfeld. Their descendants include both Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert.

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Schwarzburg Palace is situated high above the town of Schwarzburg on a narrow mountain spur. The river Schwarza curves around it on three sides. The handsome palace of the 18th century was built on the site of a castle, which was first documented in 1071. From the early 12th century onwards the same castle was the main seat of the Counts of Schwarzburg, one of the most powerful noble families in Thuringia.