In medieval times the territory was ruled by the counts of Henneberg and the princes of Schwarzburg, two local dynasties. While Ilmenau was ruled by Henneberg, Arnstadt belonged to Schwarzburg. When the Henneberg family became extinct in 1583, Ilmenau was acquired by Saxony. In the meantime the principality of Schwarzburg began to disintegrate and was split up into several tiny states. One of those states (Schwarzburg-Arnstadt) was based in Arnstadt; it was founded in 1574 and existed until 1716, when it fell to Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. This mini state existed until 1920, when the state of Thuringia was founded.
The district was founded in 1920 (under the name Arnstadt); it was divided in 1952 into the districts of Arnstadt and Ilmenau, but reunited in 1994.
Geography
In its southern portions the district includes parts of the southeastern Thuringian Forest, among them the highest elevation of that mountain chain, the Großer Beerberg (982 m). To the north the country is sloping away and becomes rather plain, mainly agricultural area.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms displays:
the heraldic lion from the principality of Schwarzburg
the hen from the county of Henneberg
the eagle from the city arms of Arnstadt
Towns and municipalities
Clickable map of towns and municipalities in the district
