Chemnitz (http://www.chemnitz.de/en...) is situated in southwest Saxony, Germany. Originally based around a monastry, the setlement was granted city status in 1170. Due to its location at the foot of the Erzgebirge literally ore mountains in the sixteenth century Chemnitz began to grow in size an importance. Initially as a place of trade and later as the base of industrial production.
The increase in Sachsen coal mining during the 18th century allowed Chemnitz to develop into one of the most important centres of the German machine and textile industries - factors which gave it the nickname of "little Manchester". Several large areas of the city were built during this period including Kaßberg and Sonnenberg. Due to the economic importance of Chemnitz it was a prime target for the Allied air force during World War II. By 1945 the city had undergone near to total destruction. Between 1953 and 1990 Chemnitz was renamed as Karl-Marx-Stadt even though Marx himself had never visited nor had anything to do with the city's contemporary history. A great deal of new building occurred during this period, much of which remains today. The large bronze head was presented to the town's people in 1971.
Today the city has a population of around 250,000, making it the fourth largest city in East Germany.
