Bad Orb

Bad Orb is a spa town in Main-Kinzig-Kreis known for its natural mineral springs and compact historic center. Medieval walls and gates still frame the downtown, where thermal baths and local restaurants are located along narrow streets.

The town grew from the extraction of salt springs that attracted settlements as early as ancient times and drove its economy. Medieval defenses were later built to protect this valuable resource and the community that relied on it.

The town has been centered around its mineral springs for centuries, and this heritage shapes the way locals and visitors move through the streets today. You can see references to these waters throughout the downtown area.

The town sits at the edge of the Spessart forest and offers gentle walking routes suitable for different fitness levels. The flat terrain makes it easy to explore on foot, and the proximity to nature means you can quickly move between downtown and outdoor areas.

A tiny timber-framed house in the center is barely 7 feet (2.1 meters) wide and sits on a footprint of roughly 215 square feet (20 square meters). It showcases how people adapted to living in extremely confined spaces.