Gera

Gera is the chief town of the principality of Reuss-Schleiz, and is situated in a valley of the White Elster, 35 miles S.W. of Leipzig. It was burnt in 1780, and the modern town is well built. Among the principal buildings tire the churches of St. Salvator and Holy Trinity, town-hall, banks, central hall, and many schools. The castle of Osterstein - now rebuilt - dates from the 9th century. The chief industries are wool, cotton, silk, and tapestry manufactures, and artificial flower making.