In 1956, Langensalza, the historic Waidstadt at Hainich, celebrated its elevation to "spa." In the healthcare system of the GDR, the district town with its sulfur bath played a significant role from then on. Furthermore, the post-war period brought numerous other economic and especially political changes. For the first time, city archivist Nadine Michel vividly and engagingly documents the time between 1945 and 1989 through more than 230 mostly unpublished photographs - the difficult new beginning after the war, the transformation of the urban landscape, and the "socialist" everyday life between school, work, and leisure. The images, primarily sourced from the city archive and city museum, showcase both views of public life and insights into the private lives of the residents of Langensalza. This picture book offers an unvarnished look at the city's history.