Sonneberg, District capital in Thuringia, Germany
Sonneberg is a district capital in southern Thuringia that extends across the slopes of the Thuringian Forest up to elevations of around 800 meters (2,625 feet). The built-up area spreads across several valleys and elevations, with older quarters in the lower sections and newer settlements on the higher ground.
The settlement originated beneath Sonneberg Castle during the 12th century and received its first written mention in 1207 from the Lords of Sonneberg. During the 19th century, it developed into a center for toy production in Germany.
The German Toy Museum preserves extensive collections showing the evolution of toy manufacturing from the 16th century to modern times. The exhibition rooms show how local craft traditions changed over generations.
The town connects to rail networks through Sonneberg Hauptbahnhof station, which operates on the Coburg-Sonneberg railway line. The streets run through several inclines and valleys, so visitors should expect varying elevation changes when walking around.
The Dreistromstein marker in the district indicates the meeting point of three major river watersheds flowing into the Rhine, Weser, and Elbe. This geographic marker shows how rainwater from this region drains in three different directions.
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