Bad Neustadt an der Saale

Bad Neustadt an der Saale is a district capital and spa town in Rhön-Grabfeld, northern Bavaria, where the Fränkische Saale and Brend rivers meet. The old quarter sits on a hillside above the river and is enclosed by sections of medieval fortifications.

The area received its first written mention in 742 with the founding of St. Martin Church in Brendlorenzen. The fortified settlement at the confluence developed during medieval times, later gaining town rights and growing into a trade center.

The heart-shaped layout of the old quarter still shapes how residents and visitors perceive the center today. Spa traditions remain visible in the parks and fountains that encourage quiet walks and rest.

The town lies between Frankfurt and Würzburg and is accessible via federal highways. Walking paths lead from here into the nearby Rhön mountains, which can be explored comfortably in summer and winter alike.

The town walls form the shape of a heart when seen from above, which local legend links to Emperor Charlemagne and his wife Fastrada. This unusual layout makes the town one of the few heart-shaped urban plans in Europe.

Location: Rhön-Grabfeld

Elevation above the sea: 242 m

Shares border with: Salz, Strahlungen, Wollbach, Heustreu

Website: http://bad-neustadt.de

GPS coordinates: 50.32264,10.21649

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:21