Lichtenfels (district)

Infobox German district
name=Lichtenfels
state=Bavaria
capital=Lichtenfels
regierungsbezirk=Oberfranken
region=Oberfranken-West
area=552
population=70,800
population_as_of=2000
density=136
carsign=LIF
url= [http://www.landkreis-lichtenfels.de landkreis-lichtenfels.de]

Lichtenfels is a district in Bavaria, Germany. It is bounded by (from the north and clockwise) the districts of Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach and Bamberg.

History

In medieval times the Main river was a border between the two main states possessing lands in this territory: the bishopric of Bamberg, and the county of Andechs. The castle of Lichtenfels was property of Andechs, which later fell under the duchy of Merania. In 1248 the dukes of Merania became extinct, and the entire region was annexed by the clerical state of Bamberg. In 1803 the clerical states of Germany were dissolved, and the bishopric of Bamberg fell to Bavaria.

The district was established in 1972 by merging the former districts of Lichtenfels and Staffelstein.

Geography

The district is situated on both banks of the Main River in the hills of the Frankish Alb ("Fränkische Alb").

Coat of arms

Towns and municipalities

External links

* [http://www.landkreis-lichtenfels.de Official website] (German)