GREIZ, a town of Germany in the Land of Thuringia, on the right bank of the White Elster, near the borders of Saxony, and 66 m. by rail south from Leipzig. Pop. Greiz (formerly Grewcz) is apparently a town of Slav origin. From the 12th century it was governed by advocati (Vogte), but in 1236 it came into the possession of Gera, and in 1550 of the younger line of the house of Plauen. It was ravaged by fire in 1494 and in 1802. The old town is on the right bank and the new town on the left bank of the river. The principal buildings are the old château on a rocky hill overlooking the town, and the old town church dating from 1225. The industries include dyeing and the manufacture of machinery, woollen goods (for which it is famous), shawls and paper.