HISTORY & PERSONALITIES

Coburg’s patron saint, appears all over the town - on coats of arms, buildings, and even manhole covers. Coburg’s main church, St. Moriz, is named in his honour. Though historically not Black, medieval artists often depicted him with dark skin due to his name. Originally from Upper Egypt, he lived in the third century when Christianity was spreading. As a general in a seasoned legion and a devout Christian, he refused to worship the Roman state gods before a battle and was consequently executed for his faith. His steadfastness made him a martyr. In Coburg, Mauritius’s image adorns the gable of the town hall, and locals affectionately call him the "Bratwurstmännle" - a reference to his marshal’s staff, which is humorously said to measure the length of the traditional Coburg bratwurst.

Lucas Cranach the Elder, a leading figure of the Renaissance, was one of Germany's most important painters, graphic artists, and book printers. In 1506, he spent six months in Coburg as the court painter for Elector Frederick the Wise and his brother, John the Steadfast. During his stay at Veste Coburg, Cranach accompanied the princes on hunts to capture and later paint their portraits. Although his original commission to decorate the banquet hall with hunting murals has not survived, 33 of his works are now on display at Veste Coburg. His time in Coburg was pivotal, marking the rise of his career as a court painter. Today, a media installation at the castle commemorates his stay, while the collections include both his and his workshop's paintings.

On Good Friday, April 15, 1530, Martin Luther, arrived in Coburg with his entourage, seeking refuge from the imperial ban. He spent nearly six months at Veste Coburg, the southernmost bastion of the Electorate of Saxony. During his stay, Luther translated parts of the Bible, compiled the ‘Coburg Psaltery,’ and preached at the Church of St. Maurice. Despite falling ill, his work was highly productive. Today, reminders of his stay include the valuable Luther collection in the state library, original letters in the state archive, and the Stone Bower at Veste Coburg, where he resided. The town also honors him with Luther Primary School and Lutherstraße.

Johann Casimir, Duke of Saxe-Coburg (1564-1633), was born in Gotha as the son of Johann Friedrich II, Duke of Saxony, and Elisabeth from the House of Wittelsbach in the Electoral Palatinate. Together with his brother Johann Ernst, Casimir inherited the duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Eisenach After the territory was divided in 1596, the duchy of Saxe-Coburg fell to Johann Casimir. Under his rule, the royal town experienced an urban and cultural upturn with the creation of a town hall on the market square, an armoury, a grammar school (Casimirianum) and expansions to Ehrenburg Palace. Johann Casimir supported the school system, art and music, and established law and order. The Casimirian Church Order of 1626 gave Coburg’s church a constitution that would last for centuries. As a ruler, he always took care of the state; however he also showed little mercy. Witch burnings reached their peak under his reign in Coburg.

Prince Frederick Josias (1737–1815), the youngest son of Duke Francis Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, is remembered for his military and diplomatic achievements. He rose to prominence during the Seven Years' War, where, alongside Russian allies, he played a key role in defeating the Grand Vizier's forces. Appointed the last Field Marshal of the Holy Roman Empire, he was renowned for his tactical prowess, having led numerous campaigns and battles with only a few defeats. In 1806, his diplomatic skills were crucial in protecting Coburg from looting by Napoleon’s army. A bronze monument by August Sommer was erected in his honour in 1911 at the Bürglaß-Schlösschen, the residence where he spent his later years.

The German poet and writer Jean Paul Friedrich Richter (1763–1825) moved to Coburg in the spring of 1803 from Meiningen and Hildburghausen, where he had been honoured with the title of legation councillor. He resided in Coburg for a year with his family in the so-called Prätorius House on Gymnasiumsgasse. Jean Paul, a great lover of nature, chose the Adamiberg, located southwest of the railway station near the River Itz, as his writing retreat. Today, this summerhouse is known as the Jean-Paul-Garten, where he worked on his famous novel Flegeljahre and his work Vorschule der Ästhetik. The garden house, which received its current appearance from a later owner, Kreisgerichtsdirektor Schnür, features a bust of Jean Paul in his honour.

Duke Ernst I (1784–1844) was the eldest son of Duke Franz Friedrich Anton and Auguste Caroline Sophie. He became Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld in 1806 following the death of his father. As the first Duke of the newly established Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1826, he founded the princely house of the same name. Ernst I's first marriage to Luise, daughter of Duke August of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, ended in failure, and Luise was forced to leave Coburg, never saw her children again. During his reign, Ernst I oversaw significant developments, including the construction of palaces and theatres, the establishment of a teacher training college in Coburg and the Ernestinum grammar school in Gotha, as well as improvements to the road network and cultural collections. He played a key role in shaping the international relations of the House of Coburg.   

Friedrich Rückert (1788–1866) is celebrated as a linguistic prodigy, reputed to have mastered more than 44 languages. Born in Schweinfurt, Rückert moved to Coburg in October 1820, where he experienced a formative period in his life. During his time in Coburg, he wrote “Liebesfrühling”, a collection of songs inspired by his romance with Anna Luise Wiethaus-Fischer, and he frequently used the former court library, now the State Library Coburg, for his research. Rückert also translated significant works, including “The Makamen of Hariri”, and his most renowned work, “The Wisdom of the Brahmins”. In 1838, he acquired an estate in Neuses near Coburg, where his summerhouse on the Goldberg became his beloved retreat. Today, Rückert’s legacy is honoured with the Coburg Rückert Prize, and his estate, including his former residence, remains open to visitors.  

Leopold I, Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and later of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, became the first King of the Belgians. Born the youngest son of Duke Franz Friedrich Anton and Auguste, Leopold spent his childhood at the Erbprinzenpalais in Coburg, opposite Ehrenburg Palace. In 1816, he married Princess Charlotte Augusta, the British heir to the throne, but tragically, she died the following year after a stillbirth. Renowned for his diplomatic acumen and political foresight, Leopold played a crucial role in shaping the European influence of the House of Saxe-Coburg. His efforts helped secure the ascent of several Coburg family members to European thrones in the 19th century. After his accession to the Belgian throne in 1831, Leopold married Louise d'Orléans, the Catholic daughter of the King of France. He passed away in 1865 at Laeken Castle near Brussels.

Ernst II, the eldest son of Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld and Princess Luise of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, ascended to the rule of the dual duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha in 1844 following his father’s death. Throughout his life, Ernst II was a passionate patron of the arts, music, and literature. He received extensive training in piano and music theory from an early age and, under the guidance of his friend Franz Liszt, composed several operas. His most ambitious and successful work was the opera 'Santa Chiara'. Ernst II was also closely associated with notable figures such as the writer Gustav Freytag and the composer Johann Strauss. As his marriage to Princess Alexandrine of Baden remained childless, he was succeeded by his nephew Alfred, the second son of his brother Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.

Albert, the second son of Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg, was born at Rosenau Palace near Coburg, where his cradle can still be seen today. Through his marriage to Queen Victoria in 1840, Prince Albert established the House of Saxe-Coburg in Great Britain, a dynasty later renamed Windsor during the First World War. Initially met with suspicion at the British court, the handsome prince consort gradually won over the hearts of the public with his pragmatic approach and diplomatic skill. Victoria and Albert are often regarded as the British monarchy's first ideal royal couple, having nine children over the course of 17 years.

Johann Baptist Strauss, born in Vienna in 1825 and known worldwide as the 'King of Waltz', remains one of the most celebrated musicians and composers of his time. In 1886, Strauss changed his citizenship and became an official citizen of Coburg, driven by love. His third marriage to Adele was a delicate matter in the Catholic society of 19th-century Vienna. Duke Ernst II of Coburg, a great admirer of Strauss's talent, granted the divorce needed for Strauss to remarry, on the condition that the couple adopt Coburg citizenship and convert to Evangelical Lutheran faith. After living in Coburg for a year, the couple were married at the church of Ehrenburg Palace in 1887. A plaque in the foyer of Coburg's town hall still commemorates this famous couple.

Alexander Otto, born in 1884 on Steinweglein road near the Casimirianum grammar school, was a well-known figure in Coburg. A true Coburg native, his distinctive dialect was part of his charm. Although trained as a bookbinder, he worked as a street vendor, first selling shoelaces and sparklers, and later, cucumbers. It is believed that he may have chosen this profession due to his poor eyesight. Alexander Otto became a beloved presence at all the town's festivals and even sold his cucumbers in local guesthouses. His dedication to his trade earned him the nickname 'Gurken Alex' (Cucumber Alex). After his death in 1960, a statue was erected atop a fountain on Herrngasse to honor a man who to honor a man who met life’s challenges with independence, resilience, and quiet strength.