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Thale is situated at an altitude of 168 m in the Harz mountain region of Saxony-Anhalt.

Around 852 the monastery Wendhusen was founded. It was the first that was established in the Saxon countries. However, Wendhusen lost its importance completely when the monastery of Quedlinburg was founded in 936. The village (german: 'Dorf') in the valley (german: 'Tal') was first mentioned in the mid 11th century ('Dorp to dem Dale'). The first mention of iron working, which later became a main economic factor for Thale, dates from 1445. Thale also became a location for summer tourism in the late 19th century after it was connected to the railroad system in 1862.

The Hexentanzplatz (withes' dance-floor) [left] is a picturesque rock formation 451 m above sea-level 48 m above the Rosstrappe mountain. It is highly probable that it was an old Germanic place of worship. Many rituals were performed especially in the night before the 1st of May (Walpurgisnacht). Heathen Saxons frightened the Christian guardians of the place away by attacking them during the night armed with brooms, hay forks and blackened faces, which led to so many witch tales.