city, Thuringia Land (state), central Germany, situated on the Lauter River in the Thüringer Forest. First mentioned in 1239, it was chartered in 1527. In 1815 it passed with electoral Saxony to Prussia. Notable buildings include the 16th–17th-century castle and the Baroque Kreuz Church (1731–39). Motorcycles, machinery, sporting guns, precision instruments, electrical appliances, tools, porcelain, and toys are among the goods manufactured in Suhl. Pop. (1996 est.) 53,400.