Bautzen (pronounced [ˈbautsn̩] , until 1868: Budissin; Upper Sorbian: Budyšin [ˈbudɨʃin]; Lower Sorbian: Budyšyn [ˈbudɨʃɨn]; Polish: Budziszyn) is a city in eastern Saxony, Germany, and capital of the eponymous district. It is located on the Spree River. As of 2005, its population is 42,189. Asteroid 11580 Bautzen is named in honor of the city. Bautzen is often regarded as the unofficial, but historical capital of Upper Lusatia, and it is the most important cultural center of the Sorbs, a Slavic minority.