The Duchy of Saxe-Weissenfels was a small German state that existed from 1657 to 1746. It was part of the larger Saxony region and was established when the Duke of Saxe-Gotha divided his territory among his sons. The capital of the duchy was Weissenfels, which served as the political and cultural center. During its existence, Saxe-Weissenfels was ruled by the House of Wettin, a prominent dynasty in German history. The duchy was known for its contributions to the arts and music, particularly during the Baroque period. In 1746, it was absorbed into the larger Duchy of Saxe-Zeitz.