Eßbach is a municipality in the Saale-Orla district of Thuringia and belongs to the administrative community Ranis-Ziegenrück.

The first documentary mention of the village dates back to 1378. At that time, the village "Espech" was listed under the accessories of Ziegenrück Castle.

Today, the community with its 239 inhabitants consists of the main village of Eßbach 423 m above sea level and the district of Walsburg 323 m above sea level.

The typical character of a village green has been preserved unaltered over many generations up to the present day. The entire village green area, the lower village square, the two ponds, the village hall and the cemetery were redesigned as part of the village renewal project. At the same time, the facade of the church was renewed and renovation work was carried out on many private buildings. As a result, our village was able to present itself to its guests in a worthy setting for the 625th anniversary celebrations in 2003.

Around the turn of the century, the village became known far beyond the region thanks to the local village school teacher and local poet Gustav Schröer. The plots of many of his novels are set in Eßbach and its immediate surroundings. Village cultural traditions, once founded here by men like Gustav Schröer, have been maintained to the present day.