BAIREUTH, or BAYREUTH, capital of the circle of Upper Franconia, in Bavaria, is pleasantly situated in a valley on the left bank of the Red Maine, 40 miles N.N.E. of Nuremberg. It is well built, with broad, regular, and well-paved streets; and is partially surrounded by old walls. The river is here crossed by two bridges. Among its public buildings are the modern castle, the opera-house, one of the finest in Germany, gymnasium founded in 1664, bank, riding school, and barracks. It has also five churches, a handsome synagogue, public library, theatre, hospital, an orphan and a lunatic asylum. In 1841, a monument was erected here to the poet Jean Paul Richter, who died here in 1825. Baireuth has an active trade, chiefly in grain; and manufactures of woollen and cotton goods, leather, delft, and other earthenware, and tobacco. It has also several breweries and distilleries. About half a league distant is the suburb of St George, noted for its marble works; and about two miles to the E. is the Hermitage, a fanciful building, erected in the early part of the last century, with gardens containing terraces, statues, and fountains. Pop. in 1849, 14,145.
Baireuth was formerly the capital of a principality of the same name, which, on the death of the last margrave without issue in 1791, was annexed to the kingdom of Prussia. In 1807, it was ceded by Prussia to France, which kept possession of it till 1810, when it was transferred to Bavaria.