Spa gardens

As early as 1480, the water from the Calzium spring was referred to as “the good water.” At that time, however, it was to be used for salt production. But since this never really got off the ground, the salt works fell into disrepair and the spring was forgotten. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that the spring was rediscovered by chance. At that time, Suderode belonged to Prussia, and the Prussian government commissioned an analysis of the water, which resulted in a recommendation to use the water for healing purposes. The spa business revived, and the first guesthouses and small bathhouses were built. The success was so great that Duke Alexius of Anhalt-Bernburg, who was building Alexisbad in the Selke Valley at the same time, bought the spring and the surrounding forest from the Prussians out of envy. From then on, Suderode had to buy the water from the spring at a high price. It was only after the Anhalt-Bernburg line died out that Suderode was able to buy back the spring and the forest at a multiple of the original price.

But it was not only the spring that made Suderode an excellent health resort; its location in a valley basin on the northeastern slope of the Harz Mountains also contributes to a predominantly sheltered climate.

From 1911 onwards, the town was allowed to call itself Bad Suderode.

After reunification, there were major changes, including structural ones. Old buildings were demolished, the spa center was built and opened, and the spa gardens were redesigned.

Lessing Cave

The Lessing Cave is located in the Cold Valley southwest of the spa gardens. It is not a natural cave. In the mid-16th century, a mine was established at this site for the extraction of copper and iron ore. However, fluorspar, copper pyrite, arsenic pyrite, and galena were mined. After it was shut down in the 17th century, the mine fell into oblivion and was only rediscovered in the 1870s when gravel was being extracted for road construction. The Magdeburg researcher Lessing then explored the cave, but the water in the shafts was up to 25 meters high.

After being filled in, a waterworks was built here at the beginning of the 20th century, but it was destroyed by a rockslide just a few years later.
In the 1950s, the Lessing Cave was searched for uranium-bearing ore. Fortunately for the town, the proportion of this radioactive metal was too low.

Today, the cave serves as a refuge for bats and is therefore under special protection.