Suhl

Suhl is a city of 37,000 people (2018) in Thuringia. Suhl its northern neighbour Zella-Mehlis form the largest urban area in the Thuringian Forest.

Understand
The region around Suhl is marked by almost 1,000-meter high mountains, including Thuringia's highest peak, the Großer Beerberg (983 m), approximately 5 km (3 miles) NE of the city centre.

History
Suhl was first mentioned in 1318 and stayed a small mining and metalworking town, until industrialization broke through in late 19th century and Suhl became a centre of Germany's arms production, specialized on rifles and guns with companies such as Sauer & Sohn. Furthermore, the engineering industry was based in Suhl with Simson, a famous car and moped producer.

In 1952, Suhl became one of East Germany's 14 district capitals, which led to a government-directed period of urban growth and conversion. Its results – a typical 1960s concrete architecture-marked city centre – are defining to the present. With the loss of its administrative and industrial functions, Suhl endured a lasting period of urban decline starting in 1990.

By car
Suhl is the endpoint of the A73 also known as "Frankenschnellweg"