Apolda (German: [aˈpɔlda] ⓘ) is a town in central Thuringia, Germany, the capital of the Weimarer Land district.

It is situated in the center of the triangle Weimar–Jena–Naumburg near the river Ilm, c. 15 kilometres (9 miles) east by north from Weimar.

Around 1700, the knitting industry began to grow, so that finally, at the end of the 19th century, Apolda was the wealthiest town of the whole region.

By 1900 it also had had extensive dyeworks, bell foundries, and manufactures of steam engines, boilers,[3] cars and bicycles.

The most important sights are: The largest free hanging bell in the world, the Decke Pitter of Cologne Cathedral, was made in Apolda.