Apolda

Apolda
Coat of arms
Apolda
Location of Apolda within Weimarer Land district
Coordinates: 51°1′N 11°31′E / 51.017°N 11.517°E / 51.017; 11.517Coordinates: 51°1′N 11°31′E / 51.017°N 11.517°E / 51.017; 11.517
Country	Germany
State	Thuringia
District	Weimarer Land
Government
• Mayor	Rüdiger Eisenbrand
Area
• Total	46.15 km2 (17.82 sq mi)
Population (2015-12-31)
• Total	22,364
• Density	480/km2 (1,300/sq mi)
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Postal codes	99501-99510
Dialling codes	03644, 036462, 036465
Vehicle registration	AP,APD
Website	www.apolda.de

Apolda (  ) is a town in central Thuringia, Germany, the capital of the Weimarer Land district. It is situated in the center of the triangle Weimar–Jena–Naumburg near the river Ilm, c. 15 kilometres (9 miles) east by north from Weimar, on the main line of railway from Berlin via Halle, to Frankfurt.

Apolda was first mentioned in 1119. Until 1633 it was seat of a family of nobles, the Vitzthums, which acted relatively independent. Between 1633 and World War I Apolda was property of Jena University. Nevertheless, from 1691 to 1809 Apolda was part of the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar and from 1809 to 1918 of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (after 1815 Grand Duchy). Around 1700, the knitting industry began to grow, so that finally, at the end of the 19th century, Apolda was the wealthiest town of the whole region. After World War II, Thuringia became part of the German Democratic Republic. Up to German reunification Apolda still was famous for its textile industries. Since then, a notable economic decay has taken place.