Located about 100 km (62 mi) north of Frankfurt, Alsfeld is part of the densely populated Frankfurt Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region, with nearby Lauterbach (about 15 km (9.3 mi) east), one of the two centre cities of the Vogelsbergkreis district.

Alsfeld is best described as a blend of a historic bourgeois European town and its rural-agricultural environs and shaped by typical Lutheran-Pietist characteristics, such as austerity and a Protestant work ethic.

In addition to Alsfeld (proper) the town includes the following boroughs: Altenburg, Angenrod, Berfa, Billertshausen, Eifa, Elbenrod, Eudorf, Fischbach, Hattendorf, Heidelbach, Leusel, Liederbach, Lingelbach, Münch-Leusel, Reibertenrod and Schwabenrod.

The city enjoyed rising prosperity due its favourable geographical location and the policies of the Landgrave of Hesse.

Trades and handcrafts flourished and Alsfeld developed into a wealthy, industrious community on the “Street through the short Hesse”.

Of great importance were the guilds, which gained influence over local government through the so-called “Korebrief” (constitution).

The city was centred on important trade routes and the following 30 Years War (1618–1648) resulted in plunder (1622), starvation (1626), plague (1635), occupation (1640 and 1643–1646) and the destruction of 226 residential buildings and 80 cottages (1646).

The economic and social fall of the city created a population of struggling smallholders, active in crafts and trades and also agriculture.

Alsfeld, unlike most German cities and towns, was spared from Allied bombing raids during the war.

The excellent infrastructure, including the Hamburg–Frankfurt–Basel Autobahn (motorway) brought further industrialization ensured that the location regained its previous geographic and economic importance, the Bundesgrenzschutz chose Alsfeld as a garrison base.

As a result of the district reform that took effect on July 11, 1972, the villages of Berfa, Hattendorf, Liederbach and Lingelbach were merged into the town of Alsfeld.

European model city Previously surrounded by an oval shaped city wall with 4 gates, the medieval town of Alsfeld is still characterised by a wealth of half-timbered buildings, which stand alongside simple residential buildings and monumental civic constructions.

The narrow, twisting streets and passages open out into courtyards and squares presenting the most delightful and unique features to be found in the whole of Hesse.

The visitor is provided with a complete overview of the development of wood construction from the late Middle Ages to the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Thanks to a happy twist of fate, the historical city centre with its medieval and renaissance architecture has been passed down to us.

Supposedly at this point the Margrave said: "Als fällt mir der Hut vom Kopp."

The town wall was built in an almost perfect circle centred on the market place (for strategic reasons).

Erected over a late Gothic stone substructure, this building with its attractive woodwork, bent chevron bracing and protruding moulded beam-ends, is an outstanding example of a "Rähmbau" (frame construction).

Michael Finck, the local artist and carpenter, designed and crafted the magnificent Renaissance door in 1604.

This impressive municipal stone building was constructed by Hans von Frankfurt and used to store and sell wine.

The transition between the Gothic and Renaissance architecture can be seen in the steep stepped gables and the fan rosettes facing.

In 1394 when a large section of the Walpurgis Church Tower collapsed, the right-hand side of the house was severely damaged.

The Hochzeitshaus (wedding house) is a renaissance building was built between 1564 and 1571, according to the plans of master builder Hans Meurer.

The upper floors, which were accessible via a stone spiral staircase, were used for festivities, which is why the name of the wedding house prevailed for the building.

The Walpurgiskirche is the main civic church in Alsfeld, dedicated to St. Walpurga, has a complicated building history.

Excavations carried out in 1971–1972, revealed the remains of the oldest section, a three apses Roman Church dating back to the 8th/9th century.

In the late 13th century an early Gothic Basilica was built, with a low, elongated choir and west tower.

Work on the collapsed tower commenced soon after the event and was only completed in 1542, with a strengthened octagonal storey topped by a Renaissance canopy.

A closer view of the church on the inside reveals a well preserved cross-ribbed dome, a beautiful stone chancel with a pulpit ceiling from around 1660, as well as late Gothic frescoes from the early part of the 15th century, It was restored in 1960–62.

Cultural life is characterized on the one hand by numerous celebrations at Alsfeld market place and nationally because of the Hessenhalle, primarily because of the concerts.