Happy TravellerWelcome to Bad Langensalza, a charming spa town located in the heart of Thuringia, central Germany. With a population of 17,500, this picturesque town is nestled in the fertile lowlands along the Unstrut river, surrounded by the Hainich and Fahner Heights. The town’s climate is relatively mild and dry, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a relaxing getaway.
Bad Langensalza is divided into 15 quarters, including the large old town center, which is bounded by the historical town wall. The town has expanded mainly to the north since 1950, where several residential and commercial areas have been built. Municipal reforms since the early 1990s have greatly enlarged the administrative urban area, which now stretches from the forests of the Hainich National Park to the eastern side of the Unstrut river.
Bad Langensalza is a popular tourist destination, with a well-preserved medieval old town, a number of themed public gardens, and a thermal spa bath. The town is on the German Timber-Frame Road and is notable for the number of well-preserved medieval half-timbered houses. Travertine stone has been mined in the town since medieval times and is still carved there today. It forms the distinctive white stonework of the old town.
One of the town’s main attractions is the Botanical Garden, which includes a Rose Garden, a Magnolia Garden, and an Arboretum. Bad Langensalza is one of the few European towns with an authentic Japanese Garden. The town is also close to the Hainich National Park, Germany’s oldest deciduous forest.
Every August, the town hosts a Middle Ages Festival (Mittelalterstadtfest) where townsfolk don traditional dress from the middle ages and visitors can experience medieval crafts, handwork, martial arts, food, and music. In 2011, Bad Langensalza won the title of Most blooming town in Europe as part of the Europe-wide horticultural competition Entente Florale.
Bad Langensalza has a rich history, dating back to ca. 932 when it was first mentioned in historical records as a village named Salzaha. The town’s name was changed to Langensalza ca. 1578, and Bad (Spa) added to the name in 1956. Langensalza was the site of a battle in 1075, in which Emperor Henry IV won over the rebelling Saxons and Thuringians. The town was damaged by fires during the Thirty Years War and again in 1711, including complete destruction of the town hall, which was rebuilt between 1742 and 1752. Langensalza became part of the Prussian Province of Saxony in 1815 and was again the site of a battle between Prussia and Hanover during the Austro-Prussian War in 1866.
Bad Langensalza is twinned with Oostkamp, Belgium, and Bad Nauheim, Germany. The town has been home to many notable people, including Georg Neumark, composer and poet, Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland, physician and founder of macrobiotics, and Radost Bokel, actress.
Come and experience the charm and beauty of Bad Langensalza for yourself. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa vacation, a glimpse into medieval history, or a chance to explore the great outdoors, this hidden gem has something for everyone.
