Bad Berka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bad Berka
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Location of Bad Berka within Weimarer Land district
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| Country | Germany | |
| State | Thuringia | |
| District | Weimarer Land | |
| Subdivisions | 9 Stadtteile | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 55.27 km2 (21.34 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 275 m (902 ft) | |
| Population
(2022-12-31)
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| • Total | 7,355 | |
| • Density | 133.074/km2 (344.66/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| Postal codes |
99438
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| Dialling codes | 036458 | |
| Vehicle registration | AP | |
Bad Berka is a lovely German town in the state of Thuringia. It's known as a spa town, which means it has special natural springs and facilities for health and relaxation. Bad Berka is located south of the famous city of Weimar.
With nearly 8,000 people living there, Bad Berka is the second-largest town in the Weimarer Land district. The Ilm River flows through the town, which is surrounded by beautiful red sandstone. Since 2008, the nearby village of Gutendorf has also become part of Bad Berka.
Contents
Discover Bad Berka: A Spa Town for Health and Fun
Bad Berka is famous for its health benefits. It has a special spring rich in iron, which is good for you. The town also offers Kneipp facilities. These are special treatments using water, exercise, and healthy living to boost your well-being.
Healing and Hospitals
In 2002, Bad Berka was officially recognized as a "State Recognised Spa with Mineral Spring Health Facility." This shows how important its health services are.
A big hospital called Zentralklinik was built here in 1952. It first helped people with tuberculosis. Over the years, this hospital has grown a lot. Today, it's known all over Germany and beyond for its excellent medical care. Its history goes back even further, to 1898.
Another important health center is the Median-Klinik. This is a rehabilitation clinic, which helps people recover after an illness or injury. It has two main buildings, opened in 1994 and 1997.
Goethe's Connection to Bad Berka
Bad Berka is also a popular spot for tourists. This is partly because it's close to Weimar, a city famous for its culture. Many historical figures have visited Bad Berka.
One of the most famous visitors was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was a very important German writer. Between 1812 and 1828, Goethe visited his friend Heinrich Friedrich Schütz many times. He even helped with the plans for the spa facilities! Because of this, Bad Berka is sometimes called "Das Goethebad im Grünen," which means "Goethe's spa in the greenery." The town is surrounded by lovely spruce and beech forests.
Nearby Cities to Explore
Bad Berka is well-located for exploring other interesting cities.
- Jena is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north-east.
- Erfurt is about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the north-west.
- Weimar is only about 12 kilometers (7 miles) to the north.
A Look Back: Bad Berka's History
Bad Berka has a long and interesting past.
Early Beginnings
In 1251, a Cistercian nunnery (a place where nuns live) was founded in Bad Berka. This shows the town's early importance. The sulphur bath spa, which uses special mineral water, was first set up in 1813.
Modern History
From 1871 to 1918, during the time of the German Empire, Bad Berka was part of a larger area called the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.
During World War II, specifically in 1945, some parts of Bad Berka were targeted by bombing. These targets were related to oil production and storage.
Music Festival Fun
If you like music, you might know about the Party.San Open Air music festival. This annual event first started in Bad Berka in 1996.
Famous People Connected to Bad Berka
Many interesting people have either been born in Bad Berka or had a strong connection to the town.
Born in Bad Berka
- Otto Fries (1849–1905): He was a politician.
- Hans Carl Nipperdey (1895–1968): A law professor who became the first president of a very important court in Germany, the Federal Labour Court.
- Hartmut Griesmayr (born 1945): A talented screenwriter and director.
Connected to Bad Berka
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832): The famous writer often visited Bad Berka as a guest and for the spa.
- Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz (1751–1792): A poet who wrote several of his works here.
- Dietrich Georg von Kieser (1779–1862): A medical doctor who worked as a physician in Bad Berka.
- Adolf Brütt (1855–1939): A sculptor who worked in the area and became an honorary citizen of Bad Berka.
- Martin Hellberg (1905–1999): An author, actor, and director who lived and worked in Bad Berka.
Town Friends: Sister Cities
Bad Berka has special friendships with towns in other countries. These are called twin towns.
Żabno, Poland
Solesmes, Nord, France
Images for kids
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Bad Berka Town hall
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Dietrich Georg von Kieser in 1858
