Altendambach is a small community on the southern slope of the Thuringian Forest. It has been a district of the town of Schleusingen since July 2019.

The municipality lies at an altitude of approx. 500 m above sea level, extends over a length of approx. 1.3 km and is nestled between the "Suhler Berg" in the north and the "Erlauer Berg" in the south. Topographically, Altendambach is a street village.

In the middle of the 14th century, "Tambach", as the village was called at the time, was first mentioned in a document.    

For centuries, the forest was the main source of income for the inhabitants of the remote forest community. In addition to sparse farming and livestock farming, the village was mainly home to woodcutters, cartwrights, shingle makers, wainwrights and the like, as well as harvesters, charcoal burners and ash burners.

Dambach already had a forester in 1514 and a school in 1585. The new church was consecrated in December 1617 after a construction period of just 10 months.

Johann Adam Melsheimer is one of the town's most famous personalities (1683-1757). He was a forester and equestrian hunter in the Electoral Palatinate for almost 40 years. Soonwald and is also used as a historical model for the "Hunters from the Electoral Palatinate" called.

Today, Altendambach is an attractive village with around 300 inhabitants. The residential and farm buildings were mostly built in the Henneberg-Franconian half-timbered style and still characterize the village today. The densely wooded surroundings offer many opportunities for hiking and recreation in nature.

Three clubs and the volunteer fire department work together to shape the intellectual, cultural and sporting life of the village with great commitment. The new clubhouse forms the focal point for social activities to increase the quality of life and promote cohesion in the village.