Eichsfeld includes a 420 to 450 meters high plateau of about 1540 km ² area, which includes between the valleys of the helme and Rhume in the north, and the Werra River in the west and southwest and climbs the headwaters of the Unstrut, the tipper and leash. The valleys of the west and east passing line and Wipper separated into two main parts of the plateau. South of the larger Obereichsfeld, a rugged plateau, sloping down to the river Werra and line with a steep, ragged edge is reached in the Goburg 566 meters and with the exception of some valleys and trough-shaped depressions is less fertile. North of the line and Wipper located Untereichsfeld is warmer and has a rich loam, and in particular to mark the Golden Duderstadt. Also in Untereichsfeld rise individual ridges, the Ohmgebirge, high in the Wild Church 523 meters north of Worbis, also the bleaching Roder mountains that form to the fertilizer Eichsfelder the gate at the Wipper between Sollstedt and Obergebra. 

Eichsfeld - Region of adventures: "I do not know that I would have ever been touched by the magical beauty of a Erdenfleckens so intimately," wrote the poet Theodor Storm 150 years ago on the Eichsfeld. Visitors today equally was made. 
Guests will enjoy a ride on the trolley, which crosses the city Lengenfeld beneath an old stone viaduct at 24 meters height, so they experience breathtaking bicycle tours or visit one of two border museums. Particularly exciting for children: The look and feel of the old livestock breeds threatened by extinction in Prof. Sielmann nature experience center, near famous for its timber Duderstadt. 
With about 1,200 square kilometers, the region is roughly the size of Ruegen. In a pristine landscape around 180 half-timbered villages and cities are located. Lies to the north with the "gold mark" a fertile and slightly undulating basin setting. Embedded there lies the biggest aquatic environment of the region, the Seeburger lake. The southern Eichsfeld consists largely of a steep section, partly idyllic mountains with its limestone and sandstone formations, which are dissected by deep valleys. Demolition grow along the steep edges of species-rich deciduous forests. Even the yew is still common.

                                   

Also culturally Eichsfeld stands out from its surroundings. This is already demonstrated the numerous pilgrimages and processions. One of the largest Palm Sunday processions in Europe can be visited in Eichsfeld: On the Sunday before Easter, thousands of believers to draw with life-size representations Passion singing and praying through the streets of the Holy City.

The region is famous for its sausages, the "Eichsfelder Stracke”. But it should also Leinefelder mustard Eichsfelder honey and cheese, and various fruit juices and local beer every try. Visit Good Herbigshagen among others - here the Prof. Sielmann Foundation maintains the heritage of nature lovers and animal filmmaker - and follow his vision of a cross-border national parks along the Green Belt. On the original scenes of his cinematic expedition on the former border strip experience Sielmann fascinating enchanted wilderness!

Go Travel to the Middle Ages: you are on an exciting journey into the Middle Ages. The landscape around the Eichsfelder Hanstein Castle on the Green Belt is littered with historical evidence of this period as well as geological and floral characteristics. Treat yourself to the protection of the "Hanstein of truce" enjoyable days in a historic setting, with fascinating nature and lived history. The Old Tavern "Klausenhof" (holds a real medieval feel) at the foot of the castle by prior notification, ready for you: Welcome and refreshment at the fountain, historical information on the whereabouts, guided hike to Green Belt with sensorial journey and wild herb collection, preparation of a Medieval welcome drink, evening meal at a knight's meals, accommodation in the historic dormitory including Eichsfelder breakfast after matins.

Liminal experience in Eichsfeld: Experience first hand the former death strip, completely safe, but with scary-factor. Witnesses describe Stasi controls, signal fence and barrier of the inhumane border. Then enjoy the freedom of the "borderless" nature trail on the Green Belt.

History (Thomas T. Muller, director of the city archives Spa Heiligenstadt)
Even in the Stone Age, the region that stretches between the Werra and the resin, visited by people who settled in part for some time. A systematic colonization, however, began later in most cases until many centuries. According to the current state of research can be distinguished in the Eichsfeld three main settlement periods. The first lasted until the year 531, ie the time when the Franks were victorious, together with the Saxons in the Battle of the Unstrut the Thuringian and thus created the possibility for its further penetration into this region. The Franks went ahead especially the colonization of the territories they conquered. Also in Eichsfeld was a very large part of the still existing locations during the period of Frankish domination (2. period), which extended to about about 900 founded. The third and final settlement period lasted from 900 to about about 1300

Eichsfeld himself stood in 897 by an instrument of the Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia, oak boxes in which the name "" was first mentioned, and in light of the history book. The history of the tract of land that is now the district of Merseburg and parts of counties Unstrut Hainich, Göttingen, and includes Werra-Meißner, is very closely connected with the history of the electors and archbishops of Mainz. This practiced almost 1,000 years, the political and spiritual power over its Eichsfeld enclave. In the ecclesiastical electors of Mainz, their possessions, which included a very early stage, the city holy city sought to expand even further. For example, purchased in 1294 Gerhard II, Archbishop of Mainz, the palaces Gleichenstein, Scharfenstein and Birkenstein Gleichenstein of Henry IV, who had to sell due to financial problems Eichsfeld his possessions. The term "Eichsfeld" was then used by the archbishops and for the new possessions, so that extended the Eichsfeld more and more to its present form.

The region experienced severe devastation during the Peasants 'and then especially in the period 1618 to 1648, when the Thirty Years' War ravaged also Eichsfeld. 
The Mainz rule ended in 1802. As part of the Luneville peace, the Electorate of Mainz was dissolved, and the Eichsfeld came to Prussia. But first, the Eichsfelder not long remained under the Prussian crown. Following the French victory at the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt 1807 Napoleon occupied numerous Prussian possessions, including the Eichsfeld. On 18 August this year was the "principality Eichsfeld" by imperial decree allocated to the newly established Kingdom of Westphalia. After Napoleon was defeated, the political situation changed again and was divided Eichsfeld 1815th The Untereichsfeld Duderstadt came to the Kingdom of Hanover and the Obereichsfeld back to Prussia.