Menteroda, a district of the municipality of Unstruttal in the Unstrut-Hainich district, was first mentioned in 966 AD. It was first mentioned in documents at the end of the 12th century. The village was completely destroyed in 1525. However, Duke August of Saxe-Gotha commissioned its reconstruction in 1551.

Since this time, there has been a complete historical record that contains many interesting details from the past. In 1606, the municipality acquired the right to bake bread and the right to keep sheep. In 1660, the municipality bought the Trottsche Freigut. A new stone church was built between 1716 and 1720. At the beginning of the 19th century, home weaving was added as an additional source of income. In the 19th century, poverty became so great that many Menteroda residents emigrated to America.

In the 20th century, Menteroda experienced a new heyday thanks to the discovery of potash salt. Salt was mined in Menteroda for almost an entire century. The era of potash mining came to an end in 1991. Eight years later, 38 former miners came together and founded the miners' association, which is now known far beyond the town of Menteroda under the name "Schlägel & Eisen" Bergwerk Volkenroda/ Menteroda e. V. (Mallet & Iron). To keep the memory of 85 years of mining alive, a mining monument was erected in the town center and a traditional site with a mini-pit as an external symbol was built in the former winding engine house.

Menteroda is historically closely linked to the Volkenroda monastery, which is a worthwhile excursion destination in the area. The Mühlhäuser Hardt to the southwest of Menteroda is the starting and finishing point for hikes along the 26 km long Mühlhäuser Landgraben, a late medieval fortification of the former imperial city of Mühlhausen. Another worthwhile destination is the so-called Keula-Rondell. The vantage point directly above a small rock face on the edge of the dune plateau offers a view over the Eichsfeld, the Ohmgebirge and the upper Leinebergland and, on a clear day, as far as the Brocken in the Upper Harz mountains.