(German, Thüringen), a historical region in the German Democratic Republic. Originally the area in which the Thuringians settled, the region became a landgraviate in 1130. The house of Wettin laid claim to Thuringia in 1247, and the margrave of Meissen, of the house of Wettin, assumed control of it in 1264.
The Wettins became the electors of Saxony in the 15th century. In 1485, Thuringia was divided between two brothers, Albert and Ernest, of the house of Wettin. Ernest received electoral Saxony and southern Thuringia; Albert received northern Thuringia. In 1547 the Albertine line increased its holdings by taking from Ernest’s grandson electoral Saxony and some of his Thuringian territories. Northern Thuringia was incorporated into the electorate, which later became the Kingdom of Saxony. As a result of the Congress of Vienna of 1814–15, northern Thuringia was ceded to Prussia.
The southern Thuringian lands that were given to Ernest were divided into feudal states known as the Ernestine Saxon duchies. Their number and boundaries changed with time. The most important of the Ernestine duchies were Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (a grand duchy from 1815 to 1918), Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Meiningen, and Saxe-Altenburg. After the November Revolution of 1918, the duchies were abolished, and in 1920 the Land of Thuringia was established with its capital at Weimar.
After the defeat of fascist Germany in 1945, Thuringia was included in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany. In 1946 the Land of Thuringia was reorganized, and the city of Erfurt became its capital. Since 1949, the area has been part of the German Democratic Republic. In 1952, Thuringia was abolished as an administrative unit and was divided into the districts of Erfurt, Gera, and Suhl.