KOTHEN

city, Saxony-Anhalt Land (state), east-central Germany, north of Halle. First mentioned in 1115 and known as a market town in 1194, it was a medieval seat of the Ascanian counts of Ballenstedt; from 1603 until 1847 it was the capital of the princes and dukes of Anhalt-Kthen. Notable buildings are the residence palace (15971604) and the 15th-century St. Jacob's Church. Lignite (brown coal) mining, sugar-beet growing, and market gardening in the locality support chemical, sugar, and foodstuffs industries in Kthen; heavy engineering and textile production are also important. A chemical-engineering school and a teachers' training institute are in the city. Kthen is a rail junction and has an airport. Pop. (1990 est.) 33,970.