The village (192 m above sea level, 407 inhabitants) is situated at the entrance of the stream of the same name into the wide fertile Saale floodplain and was first mentioned in documents in 1140 as Etcelbeche.

The beautiful and dominant church in Gothic style was built in 1867-1869. The old church stood southeast of the present one on the churchyard. It became famous beyond the borders of the village because of the wedding of Friedrich Schiller's youngest daughter, Emilie, to Albert von Gleichen-Rußwurm, which took place in the church on July 29, 1828.

As early as 1900, the former manor house was opened as a home for invalids after reconstruction and a convalescent home for women and girls was built on the Eichberg. With the retirement home, which was acquired by Sozialwerk Heuser in 1991 and renovated from the ground up, the place exerts a great attraction on visitors.

A café invites you to linger. Several vacation apartments are available for overnight stays.

Northwest of the village the new residential area "In dem Tale" was built.