Burgenlandkreis (former district)

The Burgenlandkreis was a district (Kreis) in the southern part of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, existing from 1994 to 2007. Its name was derived from the Burgenland region, which is known for its numerous castles (Burgen in German).

The district was formed in 1994 through the merger of the former districts of Naumburg, Nebra, and Zeitz. Its administrative seat was Naumburg.

Geographically, the Burgenlandkreis was characterized by a diverse landscape including the Saale-Unstrut wine region, the Zeitz-Weißenfels brown coal mining area, and the rolling hills of the Burgenland region itself. The Saale and Unstrut rivers flowed through the district.

Economically, the Burgenlandkreis faced challenges related to the decline of brown coal mining and the restructuring of agriculture after German reunification. Tourism, particularly related to the wine region and historical sites, played an increasingly important role.

In 2007, as part of a district reform in Saxony-Anhalt, the Burgenlandkreis was merged with the former district of Weißenfels to create the new Burgenlandkreis. The new Burgenlandkreis retained the name of the former Burgenlandkreis. Therefore, information regarding the current Burgenlandkreis refers to the entity created in 2007, not the district described above.