It lies on both sides of the River Wipper, between the Dün and the Ohm Hills, in the centre of the Eichsfelder Kessel (although it is not part of the administrative unit of that name).

During the Middle Ages, the course of the Wipper was changed, making possible the construction of 3 mills in the village.

In 1632, during the Thirty Years' War, troops from Weimar burnt down the church and the majority of the houses.

The Catholic Church of St. Stephen, built in 1654 (and enlarged in 1932) has a baroque altar and is one of the largest and finest in Eichsfeld.

In the 18th century, the town's economy benefited from flax processing, which was later commemorated in the municipal arms.