The district of Rottleben in the municipality of Kyffhäuserland is best known for the Barbarossa Cave, one of only two show caves in anhydrite rock in the world. When miners discovered the natural cave chambers by chance in 1865, the cave's namesake was quickly found. After all, legend has it that Emperor Barbarossa slept enchanted in the Kyffhäuser Mountains - in an underground castle, which the impressive vaults of Barbarossa's Cave are indeed reminiscent of. The first guests arrived just a few weeks after the discovery and the Barbarossa Cave, which covers around 13,000 square meters, continues to captivate visitors to this day - with its bizarre rock formations, crystal-clear, shimmering blue-green lakes and unique "pictures" in the stone walls and ceilings. The cave is also one of the most famous sights in the Kyffhäuser Nature Park and can be hiked along the excellent Kyffhäuserweg quality trail. Rottleben is also home to the administration of the Kyffhäuser Nature Park, which offers guided hikes through the unique landscape with its rare animals and plants. The village of Rottleben, on the edge of the Diamantene Aue, was first mentioned in a document in 1125. For centuries, the Schwarzburg princes in nearby Frankenhausen controlled the fortunes here.