Bad Frankenhausen - SALTY. LEANING. LEGENDARY.
The Kyffhäuser Mountains, the Diamantene Aue and the Harz mountains: Visitors can find an idyllic spot in Bad Frankenhausen surrounded by these landscapes and mountain ranges. Relaxation and regeneration are bywords of the area and can be found here for anyone in search of inner peace and quiet.
The saltwater springs are Bad Frankenhausen's special treasure; their healing power and high saline concentration once brought great wealth to the town. In 1818, Frankenhausen's Dr. Manniske started saltwater bathing in the town and opened the spa. In 1927, the name "Bad" was added to the name of the town and, in 2007, the town was awarded the title "Sole-Heilbad" (Healing saltwater baths). The healing saltwater can be enjoyed in the Kyffhäuser Therme or in the Solewasser-Vitalpark.
In the Kyffhäuser Therme you can allow yourself to drift in the saltwater pools at temperatures of up to 35°C. The spacious sauna areas with their sauna garden, the wellness oasis and the Dead Sea salt grotto will refresh and revitalise your mind, body and soul. Relaxation is guaranteed as you unwind.
The Solewasser-Vitalpark is the world's first and so far only public saltwater outdoor pool with exclusively biological water treatment. The inhalation pavilion, the Kneipp basin, the foot reflexology course or the Parcours Santé add to the fun of splashing and swimming. You can also rent bicycles and e-bikes as well as equipment for crossminton and the crazy golf course. In the adjoining Schausiedehaus (show boiling house) there are demonstrations of the salt boiling process involving historical costumes.
After so much rest and recreation, the tour proceeds high up to the Kyffhäuser Denkmal - the third largest national monument in Germany. The 81-metre-high monument was built in 1896 in honour of the German Kaiser Wilhelm I. You can learn more about the castle complex and the impressive monument by taking a guided historical tour.
In addition to Germany's largest monumental painting, which was created by Werner Tübke between 1983 and 1987 and covers an area of 1,722 m2, the Panorama Museum also presents changing special exhibitions of mainly contemporary figurative art of international standing.
The spa town of Bad Frankenhausen offers yet another superlative - the highest leaning towerin the world! As a landmark of the town, the church tower, which is over 600 years old, rises high above the surrounding buildings. The top of the tower is 4.60 m off the plumb line, which means it is more inclined than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Anyone who is interested in nature and geology, on the other hand, will get their money's worth at the Barbarossa Cave near Rottleben or on numerous hiking trails, such as the Kyffhäuserweg premium hiking trail, which is 37 km long.
Walking and cycling in the Naturpark Kyffhäuser is the best way to experience the unique landscape and discover the rare salt and orchid plants as well as resting places for many animals. The Nationale Geopark Kyffhäusercovers an area of about 833 km² from Kindelbrück in Thuringia to Kelbra in Saxony-Anhalt. You can discover the rich cultural and natural history of the saltwater spa if you follow the GeoPath through Bad Frankenhausen.
