| Pleiße | |
|---|---|
 The Pleiße inMarkkleeberg, nearLeipzig | |
 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Germany |
| States | Saxony andThuringia |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • location | Drei-Linden-Brunnen (formerly Alboldsbrunnen) inEbersbrunn nearZwickau |
| • coordinates | 50°38′51″N12°25′31″E / 50.64750°N 12.42528°E /50.64750; 12.42528 |
| • elevation | 443 m |
| Mouth | |
• location | White Elster (Elster flood plain) inLeipzig |
• coordinates | 51°19′21″N12°21′27″E / 51.32250°N 12.35750°E /51.32250; 12.35750 |
• elevation | 103 m |
| Length | 90 km (56 mi) |
| Basin size | 1,876 km2 (724 sq mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Progression | White Elster→Saale→Elbe→North Sea |
| Landmarks |
|
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Koberbach, Sprotte |
| • right | Paradiesbach,Wyhra, Gösel |
| Inland ports | none |
| Navigable | no |
ThePleiße (German pronunciation:[ˈplaɪsə]ⓘ) is a river ofSaxony andThuringia,Germany. It flows from south to north into theWhite Elster inLeipzig. Originally, its natural length was 115 km (71 mi); however, south of Leipzig, it has been straightened, which shortened it to around 90 km (56 mi).
The river is well accessible via the Pleiße cycle path.[1]
The name Pleiße is ofold Sorbian origin and means: "the swamp-forming water".[2] It gave its name to thePleissnerland (Plisni) on its lower reaches, which was important in theMiddle Ages.
The Pleiße has its source southwest ofZwickau inLichtentanne, locality Ebersbrunn. TheSaxon towns ofWerdau andCrimmitschau are followed by theThuringian communities ofPonitz,Gößnitz,Nobitz andAltenburg. BehindWindischleuba, the Windischleuba dam regulates the flow toFockendorf andTreben. AfterHaselbach, which is still part of themunicipial association(Verwaltungsgemeinschaft)Pleißenaue in Thuringia, follow the Saxon communities ofRegis-Breitingen,Neukieritzsch,Rötha,Böhlen,Markkleeberg, before the Pleiße arrives at Leipzig. It flows into the White Elster via the Pleiße flood channel and the Elster flood channel.
In the 20th century, the discharge of waste products from thecarbochemical industry in the south of Leipzig led to discoloration, stench, heavy foaming and the death of all life in the lower reaches of the river. This made the Pleiße a synonym for a polluted river during the time ofEast Germany and earned it the names "Communists' Puddle" and "RioPhenole".[3] On 5 June 1988, a "Pleiße Memorial March"(Pleiße-Gedenkmarsch) of oppositional environmental groups with 120 to 140 people took place in Leipzig, which theStasi tried in vain to prevent.[4]
However, after the industry that caused it was shut down in the 1990s, the water quality improved significantly, so that numerous species of fish can now be found again. In 2016, there is still a slight (non-toxic) brown discoloration[5] due to iron compounds, especiallypyrite, from the water regime of the mostly closed lignite mining.
Johann Sebastian Bach paid tribute to the river in two works. One, thecantataSchleicht, spielende Wellen, BWV 206 he composed based on the poem by an unknown poet on the occasion of the birthday ofAugust III who wasSaxon Elector and alsoKing of Poland. In a typically baroquepanegyric, a speech of praise and celebration, the riversVistula,Elbe, Pleiße andDanube pay homage to the prince and king. The Danube and Elbe quarrel over who may claim the "most august" ruler, the "double ruling sun" (his wife was the Austrian princessMaria Josepha). The littlenymph Pleiße, however, triumphs in the war of words over the "mossy heads of strong streams", and the four rivers join in a harmonious song of praise.[6][7]
In the secondAuf, schmetternde Töne der muntern Trompeten, BWV 207a, presumably performed in 1735 on the prince's name day, the second movement is dedicated to her, playingrecitativeDie stille Pleiße.
Die stille Pleiße spielt
Mit ihren kleinen Wellen ...The quiet Pleiße plays
With her little waves ...
— Anonymous, before 1735[8]
In 1736 a collection of songs entitledSingende Muse an der Pleiße was published in Leipzig.[9] Its author,Sperontes, had compiled simple melodies and underscored them with his own texts. The collection was very popular and went through several editions.
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