Friedrichsbrunn

Friedrichsbrunn is a village and a former municipality in the district of Harz, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 23 November 2009, it is part of the town Thale.

History

The founding of Friedrichsbrunn dates back to the 11th century where a well was located at a resting place along the Reichsheerstraße road between Quedlinburg and Nordhausen.

In 1680, a Prussian border watch station was built at the well, which was known as the Ungetreuer Brunnen (Unfaithful Well). Between 1773 and 1775, Friedrich the Great settled the area with 50 families and the place took the name Friedrichsbrunn.

The first tourists spent their summer here in 1884. Before World War I, two sanitoriums, three larger hotels, and numerous bed and breakfasts were built in Friedrichsbrunn and it became known for its high-altitude resorts. During the world wars, these facilities were used as military hospitals.

In 1949, Friedrichsbrunn became known for its "healing climate" and its winter sports facilities. Up to 1990, as many as 20,000 vacationers and patients came here each year. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, tourism took off and the place became well-known among tourists.