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Erfurt, Weimar, Eisenach - Thuringia has cultural cities with world-class treasures! A whole series of important personalities also come from the center of Germany, such as the composer Johann Sebastian Bach or the sociologist Max Weber. And the theologian Martin Luther literally made history here with his translation of the Bible. But the Free State not only experiences exciting history(s), researchers, poets, thinkers and creative people until today - Thuringia also delights and fascinates guests with its great natural landscapes. Eleven sights that you should not miss on a round trip:

1

The Wartburg and its significance

Noble residence, witness of the centuries, museum and event venue - the Wartburg near Eisenach serves(ed) many purposes. But above all, it is known today because of Martin Luther, St. Elizabeth and Richard Wagner. Wartburg Castle was also the first German castle to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, partly because of its importance in German history. Today you can visit the castle as well as the museum with famous paintings by Lucas Cranach from the Renaissance; he also portrayed the reformer Martin Luther several times. And a visit to Wartburg Castle is worth it for the unique view over the green expanses of the Thuringian Forest alone.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Eisenach: Plan arrival.

2

Erfurt and its cultural treasures

The High Cathedral Church of St. Mary, the Fish Market, the City Hall or the Krämer Bridge are part of the cityscape of Erfurt, which has one of the most beautiful old towns in Germany. And geographically, the capital of Thuringia borders the Steigerwald forest to the south and the Erfurt lakes to the north. Erfurt has a storied past, not least as far as Jewish life in the Middle Ages is concerned. A contemporary witness of this is the Old synagogue. The oldest parts of the building date back to the 11th century and it is also the oldest synagogue in Central Europe preserved up to the roof. Today you can visit it and discover the Jewish treasure of Erfurt in the cellar - which includes pieces of Gothic goldsmith's and silversmith's art.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Erfurt: Plan arrival.

3

Jena and the Zeiss Planetarium

The 91-kilometer SaaleHorizontale hiking trail offers a unique view of Jena © DZiegler - stock.adobe.com
The 91-kilometer SaaleHorizontale hiking trail offers a unique view of Jena © DZiegler - stock.adobe.com

Jena is located in the middle of the Saale valley, surrounded by forest and meadow landscapes as well as parks and castles. The city is known for its optics and precision engineering industry, which is why it is also called the city of light. Likewise, the poet Friedrich Schiller left his mark here: Today, the Schiller Garden House is open for tours. And the Jena Art Collection with over 5,000 works is also worth a visit. The JenTower has an observation deck at 128 meters and offers a wide view over the Saale valley. To crown it all, you can visit the Zeiss Planetarium visit. It is one of the first large planetariums in the world and has been in operation since 1926. Be fascinated by the various shows under the iron dome roof!

Take the train to Jena comfortably and without traffic jams: Plan arrival.

4

Kochberg Castle Park - Johann Wolfgang and Charlotte

About 35 kilometers south of Weimar lies the former country estate of the von Stein family: Kochberg Castle © andreasjungfoto - stock.adobe.com
About 35 kilometers south of Weimar lies the former country estate of the von Stein family: Kochberg Castle © andreasjungfoto - stock.adobe.com

At the foothills of the Thuringian Slate Mountains in Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel stands the Kochberg moated castle. It was there that the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the baroness Charlotte von Stein - the two are said to have shared a kind of platonic love. But visitors come mainly for the six-hectare landscape park - an idyll on earth. Here you can discover a grotto, a viewing pavilion and a flower theater. Charlotte von Stein's eldest son Carl had the area designed; the work was finished in 1840. There is also a theater of lovers at Kochberg Castle, which performs works of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Uhlstädt-Kirchhasel: Plan arrival.

5

Weimar and the art epoch Bauhaus

In 1919, the State Bauhaus, the most important art school of the early 20th century, began operations in Weimar © Sinuswelle - stock.adobe.com
In 1919, the State Bauhaus, the most important art school of the early 20th century, began operations in Weimar © Sinuswelle - stock.adobe.com

"The artist is an enhancement of the craftsman" was Walter Gropius' opinion in the Bauhaus Manifesto of 1918. The State Bauhaus was founded in Weimar - the Weimar sites are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Let budding architects, artists, civil engineers or cultural scientists act as your guides during a Bauhaus walk tell you all about the Bauhaus and the history of their university. And the city has even more highlights for you: In addition to Goethe's and Schiller's homes and the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, which are part of UNESCO's Classical Weimar World Heritage Site, there's also the House of the Weimar Republic, among other places. The permanent exhibition there reflects the exciting years of the first democracy on German soil and also makes interesting references to the present day.

6

Tiefurt Castle and Park - a place of art and music

Originally the Tiefurt Castle In 1781, Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxe-Weimar and Eisenach chose the estate - by then expanded into a palace - as her summer residence. She spent her time here with art and music; among others, Goethe, Herder, Wieland and Schiller were her guests. Today you can be a guest there and see the colorfully decorated wallpaper as well as the noble furniture and Anna Amalia's lyra guitar. An English landscape park was laid out in front of Tiefurt Castle: Meadows to the left and right of the Ilm River with shady trees, plus monuments and a temple to the muses - an ideal place to stroll and wander. Or how about a picnic on nice days to linger even longer?

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Weimar: Plan arrival.

7

Thuringian Slate Mountains/Ober Saale Nature Park - the reservoir area

The Thuringian Sea: Here you can enjoy your time out! © Henry Czauderna - stock.adobe.com
The Thuringian Sea: Here you can enjoy your time out! © Henry Czauderna - stock.adobe.com

The Thuringian Slate Mountains/Ober Saale Nature Park is ideally suited for hiking and unwinding. The 74.4-kilometer Hohenwarte Reservoir Trail runs up and down challenging trails, through dense forest and along steep slopes to rocky lookout points on the Saale River. If you want to go hiking there - and not just strolling - take endurance and a bit of skill with you. The reservoir region on the Saale River is nicknamed the Sea of Thuringia. The fjord-like landscape has rich mixed, deciduous and coniferous forests, and along the route you'll pass museums, villages and natural monuments.

8

Bad Langensalza - roses and festivals

The exotic Japanese Garden, the Arboretum, the Botanical Garden or the Rose Garden belong to the Spa and Rose City Bad Langensalza. Accordingly, there are also festivals there, for example the cherry blossom festival Hanami, the children's day Kodomo no Hi or the star festival Tanabata. In total, the city has eleven different parks and themed gardens; palm trees and olive trees have been planted along the streets, and in the summer months, over 450 types of roses bloom in Bad Langensalza. In the city center, children can let off steam at Rumpelburg - an indoor and outdoor adventure world. Those who like to relax in peace can take advantage of the offers of the Friederiken Therme and switch off.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Bad Langensalza: Plan arrival.

9

Leuchtenburg - the porcelain museum

If you want to learn more about the history of the white gold - the porcelain - visit the Leuchtenburg with the exhibition Porcelain Worlds! © Maximillian - stock.adobe.com
If you want to learn more about the history of the white gold - the porcelain - visit the Leuchtenburg with the exhibition Porcelain Worlds! © Maximillian - stock.adobe.com

The nickname Queen of the Saale Valley is given to the Leuchtenburg rightly so: On the castle hill in Seitenroda it towers over the landscape of Thuringia and offers you a unique far view. The Leuchtenburg is one of the best preserved castles in Germany, because it has been used without interruption for various purposes since the year 1200; as a financial administration, prison, reformatory and poorhouse, youth hostel or hotel - and today as an excursion destination, among other things because of the interactive museum Porzellanwelten Leuchtenburg, which impresses with its diverse worlds of experience on the subject, and the exhibition Mythos Burg. In addition, a castle tavern provides for your catering and those who want it more extraordinary can book a knight's dinner with spectacle, jugglery and hearty menu.

By train and bus comfortably to Seitenroda: Plan arrival.

10

Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes - visiting stalactites and minerals

On the edge of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, you can explore the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes. The mine has been open since 1914 © Vermeulen-Perdaen - stock.adobe.com
On the edge of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, you can explore the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes. The mine has been open since 1914 © Vermeulen-Perdaen - stock.adobe.com

It sounds like a fairy tale, but it's true: young and old alike let their hair down in the Saalfeld fairy caves everyday life behind them and dive into a new world underground, in the corridors and cavities - which is magically illuminated to boot. There is, for example, the oldest healing gallery in Germany. The pure air there improves respiratory function and strengthens the immune system. During guided tours through the former mine, formerly called Jeremias Glück, you can learn more about the origin of the unique show caves, their dripstones and minerals. And then there's the Grottoneum museum, where children can playfully solve puzzles and take part in a knowledge rally, and the forest adventure trail.

By train comfortably and without traffic jams to Saalfeld: Plan arrival.

11

In the Hainich National Park - being very close to the crowns of the trees

10 kilometers west of Bad Langensalza, the treetop trail is located at Thiemsburg Castle in Hainich National Park © dmaphoto - stock.adobe.com
10 kilometers west of Bad Langensalza, the treetop trail is located at Thiemsburg Castle in Hainich National Park © dmaphoto - stock.adobe.com

Put on your comfortable shoes and off you go to the Treetop path to the Hainich; to Germany's largest contiguous deciduous forest with an area of 13,000 hectares! Since 2011, the forest has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and part of it has been designated as a national park. Beech trees grow here most frequently. A large part of the forest area was a restricted area of the military for decades and so nature was able to develop and grow freely. On the 44-meter-high observation platform and the 24-meter-high treetop path, you can peer over the canopy of a diverse habitat. Rangers and information boards inform you about the native plants and animals. Back on the ground, there's a root cave and adventure wilderness for kids to discover.

Cover photo: The Goethe-Schiller monument stands in front of the German National Theater in Weimar © mojolo - stock.adobe.com

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