PLAUEN

city, Saxony Land (state), east-central Germany, on the slopes of the Weisse Elster River valley, in the Vogtland. Chartered in 1220, it is the centre of the Vogtland region, which in the Middle Ages was directly administered by the Vgte (imperial advocates) of Weida. Plauen became the centre of a flourishing textile industry as early as the 15th century. It was severely damaged by air raids in World War II. Notable landmarks include the old town hall (rebuilt 1548) with the adjoining new town hall, the 12th-century Johanneskirche (John's Church, restored), the Luther Church (16931708), and the former castle of the Vgte (1250), now a lawcourt. The contemporary city has a textile craft school. A rail junction, Plauen is known for lace making, but a variety of other textile products are manufactured, and there are also a variety of heavy and light industries in the city. Pop. (1989 est.) 77,593.