the capital of a cognominal lordship in the principality of Reuss, stands in a valley on the banks of the Elster, 35 miles S.S.W. of Leipzig. In 1780 Gera was almost wholly destroyed by fire, and since that time it has been rebuilt in a more regular manner; the streets are in general wide, crossing each other at right angles, and many of the houses are handsome edifices. It has several public squares, a fine town-hall, five churches, two hospitals, a gymnasium, normal school, orphan asylum, house of correction, and a public library. Gera has long been noted for its industrial activity. Its manufactures comprise woollen, cotton, and silk goods, oilcloth, leather, hats, tobacco, soap, beer, porcelain and other earthenware, bricks, musical instruments, carriages, &c. In the neighbourhood are some baths much frequented. Pop. 11,255.