Heldrungen is a district of the town and rural community of An der Schmücke and is a very old town. Heldrungen was first mentioned in a document as early as 777. The town impresses with its moated castle, which is the only completely preserved fortified moated castle of French fortress architecture in Germany. The first castle was built here in the 12th century, from 1512 to 1519 the complex was converted into a Renaissance moated castle and the extensive ramparts with two moat systems were constructed. After the Battle of the Peasants' War in nearby Bad Frankenhausen in 1525, peasant leader Thomas Müntzer was imprisoned in the moated castle, where he wrote his last writings. From the 18th century onwards, the fortress lost more and more of its importance. Following extensive renovation work, the moated castle now houses a youth hostel and the impressive complex is used for events. Other historic buildings with impressive architecture include the town hall, built around 1900, and the St. Wigbert and Golgotha Church. Heldrungen is located directly on the Hohe Schrecke, an old, unspoiled forest area. Over decades of military use, a wilderness has developed here, a habitat for rare animals and plants - a paradise for nature lovers and hikers.