Untersiemauer Pyramide

Quiet corner there

The "pyramid" in Untersiemau On Siemauer Berg between Meschenbach and Untersiemau there is a pointed stone pillar, an obelisk. It is popularly known as the pyramid and has given the hill the name "Pyramidenberg". Its inscription leads to a section of the country's history that has received little attention. It reads: Established April 23, 1799. When on the anniversary of the reg. Mr. Herzogs and Mrs. Herzogin, Ernst Friedrich and Sophia Antoinette in the 75th year of your age. Duke Ernst Friedrich of Saxony-Coburg-Saalfeld was born in 1724. After the death of his father Franz Josias, he took over the government in 1764. In doing so, he found an oppressive debt burden, which however does not result from inability or mismanagement. The seven-year war that had just ended had almost brought trade and traffic to a standstill. 450 men had to be provided and maintained for the Imperial Army. Eventually hunger and inflation followed after the bad harvests of 1771 and 1772. The debt burden was so great that in 1773 the emperor set up a debt management agency (Debitkommission) that had been in charge of the state finances for over 30 years. The duke couple, the parents of the future duke Franz Friedrich Anton, was popular with the population. In contrast to many baroque princes of that time, it led an exemplary life. At the place where the Duke had received his wife in 1749, the Coburgers put this memorial stone for the celebration of the golden wedding. In retrospect, something else seems worth mentioning: Duke Ernst Friedrich prohibited the recruitment of soldiers for foreign military service in his duchy. Other princes of that time were less concerned. They sold their "Landeskinder" regimentally, thereby collecting money for every recruit - and for every fallen man again. Duke Ernst Friedrich could have reorganized his state finances in this way. Source: "Das Coburger Land" by Walter Schneier- Publisher: Landratsamt Coburg, 1990

the municipality Untersiemau leaves this location the decay, too bad