Helmstedt is a town located on the eastern edge of the German state of Lower Saxony. It serves as the capital of the District of Helmstedt.
The city is characterized by its historic architecture, preserving significant monumental heritage from the Romanesque and Renaissance periods alongside numerous timber-framed houses. Historically, it served as a university and Hanseatic city.
During the period of German partition, the nearby Bundesautobahn 2 was home to the Helmstedt–Marienborn border crossing. This location was the most important point on the former inner German border, serving as the starting point for the shortest land route between West Germany and West Berlin.