I arrived in Bad Langensalza shortly before noon - my time for a lunch. I parked for free on an almost empty parking lot and walked towards the town center. It turned out to be a pretty long walk, but it was a wise decision because extensive construction work was going on in the downtown area and I could not see any free parking spots on this day.
I don't know the name of this "river" - is that the Salza?
My first priority after this tiring exercise was to get some good food, but nothing Thuringian. I had an overdose of that in the previous days.
I decided to have a real gyros in a "Döner Pizza Parlour". I was not disappointed I did not get a disgusting faked gyros which is common in North America.
It is solid barbecued meat which is shaved from a vertical rotating spit, served in a pita with salad, raw onions and a special creamy sauce. Very important: the correct spices are used.
A real gyros
Naturally I needed a glass of "Weißbier" (wheat beer) with this delicious meal.
It did not take a long time and the owner of the restaurant was sitting on my table and we chatted in German. He did not speak any English. He brought a delicious tea after I had gulped town the beer.
Obviously he was a well known person because almost everybody who passed by had a few friendly words with him or used his take out service.
I was glad to see that. After a while I had gained some strength back and wanted to pay. He rejected, he wanted only some money for the beer. So I gave him a nice tip.
I hope to see him again sometimes, hopefully this time together with my wife Elizabeth. She will probably order some of his fresh and delicious looking salad.
I may try a so called "Döner" - which is a Middle Eastern dish - the next time.
The friendly owner of the restaurant
Bad Langensalza was not very busy and I did not see any other tourists. The town was very clean, not like the area where we live and where people told me that Europe is dirty.
I am still surprised how much improvement and restoration of buildings happened after the unification of Germany. Now jobs are needed and visitors who enjoy the many things which Thuringia has to offer.
In order to work on our travel guide I could not spend the time to visit the "Friederiken Therme" which is part of the local health center. I am not able to provide more free advertising and 2005 is the last year we were doing that.
Not too busy
Bad Langensalza has a long history. No wonder the town is over 1300 years old. Visit a tourist office to get detailed information what to see. On this day I just was interested in the downtown area.
I learned that the town did not experience any devastating bomb raids during WW II. For that reason I did not see too many new structures. The pedestrian area is perfect for doing some shopping and to relax in one of the coffee shops which all offer a mouthwatering variety of ice cream. Normally, I never could pass by without trying one of the specialities- either with fresh fruits or some liqueur but almost every time with real whipped cream. Believe it or not - I lost several pounds during my four weeks long trip through Thuringia.
Each corner I turned during my walk opened a new scenery. Something which Elizabeth always enjoyed.
You need all your navigations skills to find your way back. When I got lost one time I used the display of my digital camera to show people where I started and they gave me the right directions to find my car again.
Bad Langensalza is well known for its towers and I am confident that you will enjoy discovering things which we do not show in our web site.
Get information about the fierce battles which took place in this area between the Prussians and the troops from Hannover.
Learn also about the enormous damage which a fire caused in 1711. You can easily fill a day just by collecting and following up the history of this small town.
The so called "Rathausbrunnen"'; (Town hall fountain)
On my way back I treated myself again
Next year hopefully all the construction work will be completed and in my eyes Langensalza has all the prerequisites in place to become one of the jewels for tourists in Thuringia. Even nice parks are added which certainly are go along very well with the health center.
During my tour through the medieval part of Bad Langensalza this fountain caught my attention. I do not know the symbolic meaning of the displayed ensemble. However I learned that it dates back to the year 1561 and that some major changes were performed to it in the same century. It was the main source for the drinking water of the town at this time.
The last renovation was done in 1986 which was before the unification of Germany.
Old buildings are nicely renovated and not torn down
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