Bad Sooden-Allendorf - masterpiece of half-timbered buildings adorning the Werra River landscape, in Mother Hulda's realm

Bad Sooden-Allendorf - Werrabrücke (Foto: Ingo Wandmacher)

The picturesque therapeutic-brine bathing spa town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf lies embedded in the attractive low mountain landscape of the Werra River valley and bewitches its visitors with half-timbered splendour of a special kind. Whether the ornate 17th-century patrician house, the Söder Gate with the Salt Museum or the salt works themselves – there is much to discover here. In front of the gates of the Allendorf old town is the old Zimmersbrunnen (well) with its lime tree, considered to be the origin of the well-known German folksong Am Brunnen vor dem Tore (“At the well by the gate”). For centuries, salt and brine have defined the history of the town and invited guests to soothing inhalations with its mighty salt works.

Bad Sooden-Allendorf for friends of fairy tales

As the symbol of the city, Mother Hulda, with her two unequal maids Gold-Mary and Pitch-Mary, time and again enchants the hearts of the visitors to Bad Sooden Allendorf. Apart from the Mother Hulda pond on the Hoher Meißner mountain, a sculpture erected at the pond reminds one of the fair goddess Hulda. On special occasions, such as the annual Fairy Tale Week (every year right after Easter), she appears in the company of Gold-Mary and Pitch-Mary and shakes her bedclothes out of the window of the historical Söder Gate in Bad Sooden Allendorf. A legendary programme of storytellers, music groups and scores of additional performers lets not only children hearts beat faster during the festival week.

Furthermore, you will discover much worth knowing about the city with a fabulous guided tour along the lantern route of the Mother Hulda town.

Historical tidbits

The Brothers Grimm also took their search for the mysterious Mother Hulda to the Hoher Meißner in the early 19th century. However, you can only reach her underground realm by a unendingly deep pond. At the bottom of the Mother Hulda pond, you will find her fabulous palace of pure silver, surrounded by a splendid garden.

Bad Sooden Allendorf for holiday tourists and day visitors

The romantic health resort Bad Sooden Allendorf is an especially popular destination for holiday tourists and day visitors. Well-built bicycle and hiking paths along the Werra River invite guests to discover the beautiful surroundings shrouded in legend. The diversified landscape of the Hoher Meissner nature park provides diverse possibilities for walking, angling and canoeing for active holiday tourists. Salt and brine provide the basic framework of the therapeutic bath. Spa guests especially appreciate the extensive spa garden with direct access to the salt works, and find tranquillity and relaxation there. The WerratalTherme cordially invites you to linger with a relaxing sauna landscape and the “Dead-Sea Salt Grotto” featuring the soothing “white gold”. Holiday tourists can experience a dynamic town history for one of the numerous guided tours of the town or enjoy one of the many event highlights.