Sondershausen is a town in Thuringia, central Germany, capital of the Kyffhäuserkreis district, situated about 50 km (30 mi) north of Erfurt. On 1 December 2007, the former municipality Schernberg was merged with Sondershausen. Until 1918 it was part of the principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.

Geography

Sondershausen is situated in North Thuringia and lies in a low mountain range between Hainleite (in the north) and Windleite (in the south). The highest mountain is the Frauenberg to the west of the town. A little river called Wipper flows through Sondershausen. The town is surrounded by mixed forests, dominated by beech.

Subdivisions

The city districts are:

Culture and main sights

Museums

Sondershausen Palace houses a large museum with three different exhibit areas. Special exhibits are the "Golden Coach", the only one of its kind in Germany, and the legendary bronze figurine "Püstrich". There are special guided tours of the palace's storage depot, cellar, tower, and park. Other places of interest include a former mine under the city, and a Jewish bath from the 14th century.

Buildings

Churches

Notable people

Sister cities

Sondershausen is twinned with three cities: