ALTENBURG

city, Thuringia Land (state), central Germany. It lies along the Pleisse River, at the southern edge of the central German brown-coal deposits, south of Leipzig. First mentioned in 976 as the site of a watchtower near an old Slav fortress, it was a trading centre and royal residence in the 12th century. It passed to the Saxon house of Wettin in 1243 and was the capital of the duchy of Saxe-Altenburg in 160372 and 18261918. The city is known as the birthplace of the three-handed card game skat. There is a playing card museum in the old ducal castle. Notable buildings include the castle church, the town hall (156264), and the 15th-century St. Bartholomew Church. The Lindenau Museum has a large art collection. Aside from the playing cards for which it is best known, Altenburg also makes sewing machines, hats, cigars, and drumskins. Pop. (1995 est.) 46,291.