Grimma


Grimma is a town in Saxony, Central Germany, on the left bank of the Mulde, southeast of Leipzig. Founded in 1170, it is part of the Leipzig district.

Location

The town is in northern Saxony, southeast of Leipzig and south of Wurzen.

Flooding

The river Mulde flows through the town, a significant section of which is situated in a floodplain. Massive floods in 2002 washed away the old Pöppelmannbrücke bridge and caused significant damage to buildings in the town. In the summer of 2013 there was further flood damage.

Suburbs

Grimma is of Sorbian origin and was first documented in 1065. The Margraves of Meissen and the Electors of Saxony often resided at the castle in the town.
The town was chosen as one of three government elite boarding schools, the 'Princely Schools of Saxony', in 1550. The purpose of these schools was to educate future civil servants and to prepare them for further studies at universities which is why a number of historical personalities are biographically related to this rather small town. The Gymnasium St. Augustine still exists today as one of only a few public boarding schools in Saxony.
Grimma was the scene of witch trials between 1494 and 1701. At least two women were executed as witches.
Due to the town being located at the second main railway line between Leipzig and Dresden, the town developed well in the 19th century.
By 1890 the population had reached 8,957.
The town was affected by heavy flooding in 2013. Work had by this time started on the construction of flood barriers, but their completion had been delayed by local opposition.
In 2017, the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference held their international, triennial convention in Grimma.

Culture

Grimma has been the site of many historic structures, including a town hall dating from 1442, a famous school erected on the site of a former Augustinian monastery in 1550, and a school of brewing.

Twin towns – sister cities

The city is twinned with:
  • Bron, France
  • Gezer, Israel
  • Leduc, Canada
  • Rüdesheim, Germany
  • Weingarten, Germany

    Notable people

  • Albert III, Duke of Saxony
  • Catherine of Saxony, Archduchess of Austria
  • Ernst Otto Schlick, engineer
  • Georg Elias Müller, psychologist
  • Erich Waschneck, playwright
  • Diethard Hellmann, musician
  • Verena Reichel, translator
  • Ulrich Mühe, actor
  • Carmen Nebel, TV moderator
  • Olaf Beyer, athlete
  • Matthias Lindner, footballer
  • Torsten Kracht, footballer
  • Jochen Kupfer, operatic baritone
  • Marina Schuck, sprint canoer
  • Ronny Garbuschewski, footballer