Rose Festival at the Theodor Storm Literary Museum

Heilbad Heiligenstadt — Spa Town in the Eichsfeld

Heilbad Heiligenstadt is the district town of the Eichsfeld district in northwestern Thuringia. With its sulfur-salt spring spa, it is one of the few spa towns in Central Germany. The town, with around 16,000 inhabitants, looks back on a rich history: Catholic in character due to the Eichsfeld region, a historic old town with the collegiate churches of St. Marien and Liebfrauenkirche, and a spa park with the famous Rose Garden. Heiligenstadt is also a literary location: Theodor Storm worked here as a district court councillor.

Theodor Storm in Heiligenstadt (1856–1864)

The poet from Husum, Theodor Storm (1817–1888) — author of 'Der Schimmelreiter,' 'Immensee,' 'Aquis submersus' — was transferred to Heiligenstadt as a district court councillor in 1856 after being politically expelled from Schleswig-Holstein. He spent eight years here, wrote several novellas, and came to know, love, and describe the Eichsfeld region. Works such as 'Auf der Universität,' 'Drüben am Markt,' 'Im Schloß,' and 'Auf dem Staatshof' originated in Heiligenstadt. The Theodor Storm Literary Museum, located in his former residence on the hill, documents these years in Heiligenstadt — one of the important Storm memorial sites in Germany, alongside Husum.

Rose Festival and Special Exhibition 2026

The Rose Festival combines literature and garden. Roses bloom in the garden of the Storm Museum in June — a tradition that Storm himself is said to have loved. On the occasion of the rose bloom, a special exhibition is opened annually, often relating to an aspect of his work. In 2026, the theme is: 'Animal Depictions in Theodor Storm's Heiligenstadt Novellas' — a literary scholarly exploration of horses, dogs, birds, and other animals that often play a symbolic role in Storm's texts. The opening will be accompanied by readings and musical contributions. Afterwards, guided tours through the blooming Rose Garden will invite visitors — with references to Storm's correspondence about the nature of Heiligenstadt.

Eichsfeld and Heilbad Heiligenstadt

The Eichsfeld is one of the predominantly Catholic regions of Thuringia — a cultural island between the Protestant federal states. Heilbad Heiligenstadt is its historical and religious center. The town maintains an extensive cultural program with over 250 events per year — spa concerts in the park, city tours, readings, concerts. The Theodor Storm Literary Museum is among the literary highlights of the Eichsfeld. Those who wish to follow Storm's trail further can combine their visit with the nearby Theodor Storm Hiking Trail and a city tour 'In the Footsteps of Theodor Storm.'