The town of Greiz, renowned on account of its parks and castles, is arguably the most beautiful town in the federal region of Thuringia. It has about 24,500 residents and is the capital of the Thuringian Vogtland district. Surrounded by hills and mountain slopes rich in wood, the centre of Greiz is idyllically situated in the narrow valley of the »Weisse Elster« river. In the centre of the valley the Upper Castle dominates a 50 metre high hill cone. Due to this outstanding location Greiz is also named »Pearl of the Vogtland«.
In particular Greiz is well known on account of its two castles, its parks, and the numerous examples of Wilhelminian and Art Nouveau architecture. Greiz Park, a beautiful natural park in the English style, ranks amongst the ten most important landscape gardens in Central Europe. With its architectural jewels Greiz is one of the towns on the »Art Nouveau Route«, an international community of towns with a wealth of Art Nouveau buildings.
In 2009 Greiz celebrates its 800th anniversary with a lot of delightful events all over the year.
