Markranstädt

Markranstädt
Markranstädt
Location of the town of Markranstädt within Leipzig district
Coordinates	51°18′6″N 12°13′16″E / 51.30167°N 12.22111°E / 51.30167; 12.22111Coordinates: 51°18′6″N 12°13′16″E / 51.30167°N 12.22111°E / 51.30167; 12.22111
Administration
Country	Germany
State	Saxony
Admin. region	Leipzig
District	Leipzig
Town subdivisions	9
Mayor	Carina Radon (CDU)
Basic statistics
Area	58.27 km2 (22.50 sq mi)
Elevation	119 m  (390 ft)
Population	14,981 (31 December 2010)[1]
- Density	257 /km2 (666 /sq mi)
Other information
Time zone	CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2)
Licence plate	L
Postal code	04420
Area code	034205
Website	www.markranstaedt.de

Markranstädt is a town in the Leipzig district, in the Free State of Saxony, Germany. It is situated 11 km southwest of Leipzig.

Geography and transport

Markranstädt can be found about 10 km (6.2 mi) south-west of Leipzig city centre, between the Saxony-Anhalt and the Leipzig housing estate Grünau, on the west bank of the Kulkwitzer See.

Through the proximity to the city Leipzig and to the Leipzig/Halle Airport (12 km), two connections to the Motorway A 9, two connections to the A 38 and the Trainstation feeding in to the MDV Transport network of Central Germany seems to give the town a very good transport infrastructure. The National Roads B 87 and B 186 also intersect in the area of the town.

Administrative structure

Markranstädt is an administrative area consisting of the town itself plus the districts Albersdorf, Altranstädt, Döhlen, Göhrenz, Großlehna, Kleinlehna, Meyen, Quesitz, Räpitz, Schkeitbar, Schkölen, Thronitz, Kulkwitz, Gärnitz, Seebenisch, Lindennaundorf, Frankenheim und Priesteblich.

History

The first documentary mention of Markranstädt was in 1285 as the seat of a court. Probably founded as a subsidiary settlement of the neighbouring monastic settlement Altranstädt, it was mentioned as a marketplace in 1287 and as a small town in 1354. The name is also derived from its foundation: it was founded as Ranstädt (ran = "Place on cleared land") , while meanwhile Ranstädt became known as Altranstädt (Old Ranstadt). Ranstädt then obtained the right to hold markets, hence the current name "Markranstädt". In the year 1633, during the Thirty Years War, the town was burned by the Holk'schen Reitern. The fire destroyed, amongst other buildings, the town hall and all its records. The plague epidemic of 1634 and the famine of 1639 led to a drastic population decline. In the year 1650 Markranstädt numbered fewer than 150 inhabitants. The next local catastrophe happened in 1671, as 31 houses were destroyed by a large fire. At the beginning of the 18th century the town began to recover again. Markranstädt had its brush with world history on the 23rd July 1807, as Napoléon Bonaparte, together with his entourage, stayed overnight in the guesthouse "Zum Rosenkranz". In the course of the Battle of the Nations in 1813 the town was once again adversely affected. Markranstädt experienced an economic blooming toward the end of the 19th century. Mainly the Kürschnergewerbe, but machine-building flourished also. A car factory was established and also Markranstädter Brewery. The town was well renowned until the Second World War for "Markranstädter Pilsener" beer.

St. Laurentius, built 1518–1525

Cultural

Markranstädt is also known locally as Lallendorf. This inspired the motto of the Markranstädter Carneval Club e.V. (“Lallendorf -oho-, Markranstädt -oho-, MCC -oho-“). There are frequently musical events in the local church.

Worth seeing

• Kulkwitz Lake (Kulkwitzer See), with 1.6 square kilometres (400 acres) surface water and 2 square kilometres (500 acres) surrounding area, which are enjoyed especially by watersports enthusiasts, holidaymakers and walkers-
• St. Laurentius Town Church
• Altranstädt Castle (Schloss Altranstädt)

Sport

Markranstädt describes itself as a "Sports town". The women’s handball team of SC Markranstädt plays successfully in the 2nd division of the German League. The men of Markrandstädt Volleyball Club reached in 2006 the quarterfinal of the 1st division of the German League. In the same year, the club merged with VV Leipzig to become VC Leipzig. Markranstadt "Sports town" club offers a large number of sports. The largest section is football. The first team plays in the Saxon State League. The Junior-A team also plays in the State League.

See also

• Markranstädter Automobilfabrik

References

1. ^ "Bevölkerung des Freistaates Sachsen jeweils am Monatsende ausgewählter Berichtsmonate nach Gemeinden" (in German). Statistisches Landesamt des Freistaates Sachsen. 31 December 2010. http://www.statistik.sachsen.de/download/010_GB-Bev/Bev_Gemeinde.pdf.