Willingen, Climatic health resort in Waldeck-Frankenberg, Germany.
Willingen is a climatic health resort in Waldeck-Frankenberg that spreads over several valleys between the Hoppecke and Itter rivers. Its different parts lie at elevations between 550 and 619 meters in the Rothaar Mountains, surrounded by wooded slopes and meadows.
Several villages came together in 1874 to form a single municipality and belonged to the Free State of Waldeck until 1929. The incorporation into Prussia changed the administrative structure, but the regional identity remained.
The name Willingen likely comes from an early Frankish settlement, and the different parts of town still carry names from that era. Visitors quickly notice the many wooden buildings and the alpine character of several streets, shaped by decades of tourism.
The Uplandbahn railway line connects the town to Korbach and Brilon-Wald, making arrival possible without a car. Trails and slopes are usually well signposted, so visitors can find their way even in snow.
The Mühlenkopfschanze draws thousands of spectators each year when international ski jumpers fly down the slope in winter. Even in summer the facility opens for visitors who want to climb the tower and enjoy the view.
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