Suhl is an independent medium-sized town in the Franconian south of the Free State of Thuringia. It lies on the southern slope of the Thuringian Forest in the Lauter and Hasel valleys.
Suhl is defined by state planning as a medium-sized center with partial functions of a regional center.
Due to its history as a location for armaments factories, the elected representatives of the city council declared Suhl a city of peace on February 14, 1991.
Nevertheless, due to the long tradition of manufacturing hunting weapons, the city describes itself as Suhl, the city of weapons, in accordance with the city council decision of 2005.
Over the centuries, Suhl was a town shaped by mining.
In 1952 it became the district town of the district of Suhl.
The decision to redesign and enlarge the city followed.
During the conversion process, extensive old buildings in the city center were torn down and replaced with modern architecture characterized by prefab construction.
In just a few years, Suhl grew from around 25,000 inhabitants to over 56,000. Since 1990, however, the independent city has recorded by far the largest population decline of all rural districts and independent cities in Germany, at almost 40 percent.
In the past, Suhl was known for centuries of gun manufacturing and for the motor vehicle and two-wheeler manufacturer Simson.
Many people associate Suhl with the work of the composer and performer of folk music Herbert Roth.
Today there are also well-known winter sports enthusiasts and sports clubs such as VfB 91 Suhl or the ski club SWV Goldlauter-Heidersbach.
(Source: Wikipedia)