Happy TravellerWelcome to Bad Salzuflen, a charming town and thermal spa resort in the Lippe district of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. With a population of over 52,000, Bad Salzuflen is a hidden gem that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Situated on the eastern edge of the Ravensberg Basin, at the confluence of the rivers Salze (Bega) with the Werre, this town is densely populated and has a city center surrounded by districts with a village-like feel to them and agricultural land.
One of the most unique features of Bad Salzuflen is the saline springs that emerge at geological folds, which give the region the name of Germany’s healing garden. The geothermal heat sources are of sufficient quality that it makes it viable to use heat recovery systems utilising borehole heat exchangers and heat pumps.
Bad Salzuflen has a roughly oval shape, with a maximum extension in east–west direction, and 13 km in north–south direction of 11 km. It is bordered by the town of Lemgo to the east, Lage to the south, Leopoldshöhe to the southwest, Bielefeld to the west, Herford to the northwest, and Vlotho to the north. Together with Herford, Bad Salzuflen belongs to the conurbation of Bielefeld.
The city is divided into twelve districts that each offers a unique experience for visitors. The most populous districts are Bad Salzuflen with about 19,700 inhabitants, Schotmar with 8,900, Werl-Aspe with 7,500, and Wüsten with 4,000 inhabitants. Together, these four districts over 70% of the population of Bad Salzuflen. The districts of Bad Salzuflen, Schotmar, Werl-Aspe, Holzhausen, and Ehrsen-Breden form a continuous area of settlement.
Bad Salzuflen displays the typical fully humid temperate climate for Central Europe, with its maximum rainfall during the summer. The annual average temperature of 9.3 °C corresponds to the latitude and the altitude. However, the annual sum of precipitation is 743 mm, which is slightly higher than the North German (640 mm) or the German average (690 mm), but due to its location in the rain shadow of the Teutoburg Forest, is slightly lower than the average for Lippe (877 mm).
The town has a rich history dating back to the middle of the eleventh century, where the first mention of the settlement of Uflon comes along with a place of salt nearby. It was the use of the Pauline salt source in the Middle Ages that led to the establishment of the first Saline. Thanks to the lucrative salt trade and the promotion of the town to a city by the Counts of Sternberg, it was fortified with a circular wall and four gates. Until the Thirty Years War, trading flourished with the white gold and brought great wealth to the town.
Bad Salzuflen is a vibrant town with something for everyone. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or just looking to relax in a spa, this town has it all. Come visit and discover the many treasures that await you!
