Suhl Facts for Kids

Suhl is a city in Thuringia, Germany. It is located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Erfurt. It is also 110 kilometers (68 miles) northeast of Würzburg and 130 kilometers (81 miles) north of Nuremberg.

With about 37,000 people, Suhl is the smallest of Thuringia's six urban districts. Together with its neighbor, Zella-Mehlis, Suhl forms the largest urban area in the Thuringian Forest. This area has a total population of 46,000 people. The region around Suhl has mountains up to 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) high. Thuringia's highest peak, the Großer Beerberg, is about 983 meters (3,225 feet) tall. It is located about 5 kilometers (3 miles) northeast of the city center.

Suhl is also known for its many talented athletes. These include sportsmen and women who excel in shooting, winter sports, and volleyball.

Suhl's History
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Suhl's History

Suhl was first mentioned in the year 1318. For a long time, it remained a small town known for mining and working with metals.

From Mining to Industry

Things changed a lot in the late 1800s when the Industrial Revolution began. Suhl became a major center for making weapons in Germany. Companies like Sauer & Sohn specialized in producing rifles and guns.

Another important industry in Suhl was engineering. The company Simson was based here. Simson was famous for making cars and mopeds.

Suhl as a District Capital

In 1952, Suhl became one of East Germany's 14 district capitals. This meant the government directed a period of fast growth and change for the city. The city center was rebuilt with a lot of concrete buildings, typical of the 1960s style. This look still defines Suhl today.

Changes After 1990

After 1990, Suhl lost its role as an administrative capital. Many of its large industries also declined. This led to a long period where the city's population and economy decreased.