Bad Langensalza

Bad Langensalza (until 1956: Langensalza) is a city in the County of Unstrut-Hainich, Thuringia, Germany, with a population of c. 18,500 (2006).

History

It was first mentioned in historical records ca. 932, as a village named "Salzaha". The city name was changed to Langensalza ca. 1578, and "Bad" or "Bath" was added to the city name in 1956.

In 1075, Langensalza was the site of a battle, in which Emperor Henry IV won over the rebelling Saxons and Thuringians.

The city was plundered and damaged by fires during the Thirty Years' War (c. 1632). Fires again destroyed large parts of the city in 1711, including complete destruction of the city hall. The city hall was rebuilt between 1742-1752.

War again affected the city during 1756-1763, during the Seven Years' War; it was the scene of a battle in February 1761. In 1815 Langensalza became part of the Prussian Province of Saxony. In 1866 it was again the site of a battle between Prussia and Hanover during the Austro-Prussian War.

American troops occupied the city in 1945.

Main sights

Langensalza is something of a tourist spot, with picturesque ruins of a medieval castle, and sulphur baths nearby.

The sulphur baths were discovered in 1811, and opened to the public as a curative bath in 1812. A new version of the public sulphur bath was opened in 1928. Salt and mineral water springs were discovered in 1996, which prompted the opening of many new curative facilities.

Bad Langensalza contains a botanical garden, the Botanischer Garten in Bad Langensalza which opened in 2002, and also borders National Park Hanich, founded in 1999.

International relations

Bad Langensalza is twinned with:

• Oostkamp, Belgium
• Bad Nauheim, Germany

People

• Johann Christian Wiegleb, chemist

References

External links

• Official site
•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). "Langensalza". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. 

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