Wartburg Castle near Eisenach and Hainich represent two distinct UNESCO World Heritage connections in Thuringia. The castle is associated with Martin Luther’s translation of the New Testament; Hainich was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 as part of Germany’s ancient beech forests. Thuringia has a total of five entries on the list.
Experience history, art and culture
Wartburg Castle’s historical and art-historical significance attracts numerous visitors from around the world each year. Its connection to Luther gives the site’s history a specific cultural and historical context. Those who want to get to know Thuringia through its history will find a distinctive introduction to one of its defining themes here.
The Thuringian Open-Air Museum in Hohenfelden offers a different glimpse into past ways of life. More than 38 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century show how people lived in the past. The buildings bring together several centuries, while the museum illustrates what life was like in earlier times.
Since 1995, the Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has presented exhibitions by international and regional artists. The Kulturfabrik Apolda offers workshops. At the interactive Grottoneum Museum, talking stones and a cave cinema are among its special features. Exhibitions, workshops and interactive museum features thus offer different ways to explore Thuringia’s cultural attractions.
Discover Thuringian cuisine
The 1st German Bratwurst Museum devotes its permanent exhibition to the history, tradition and cultural significance of bratwurst, particularly Thuringian bratwurst. Bratwurst seminars are also offered. At the dumpling cooking school at Kloßwelt Heichelheim, visitors can learn to prepare Thuringian classics themselves. Culinary discoveries therefore range from exploring traditions to cooking for yourself.
Explore forests and trails
Thuringia has eight National Natural Landscapes where rare animals and plants can be observed. In Hainich National Park, the treetop path reaches up to 24 metres above the ground. Weather-related closures are possible, so check access before your visit.
Parts of the Green Belt in Thuringia can be explored on foot along numerous hiking and circular trails. Around Oberweißbach, the herb educational trail introduces visitors to beneficial plants found in nature. Both experiences explore nature in different ways: the Green Belt can be discovered via its trails, while the educational trail focuses on plants.
The Rennsteig in the Thuringian Forest is Germany’s best-known ridge trail and is used by cross-country skiers in winter. As snow conditions vary, it is worth checking current conditions before planning a winter visit.
Cycling routes and other experiences
The Ilm Valley Cycle Route is 123 kilometres long and runs from the Thuringian Forest to the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region. Rail connections in both directions allow cyclists to return to their starting point. The Goethe Adventure Trail in the Weimarer Land has twelve experience stations. The two routes offer different ways to plan a visit: the Ilm Valley Cycle Route focuses on its length and course through different landscapes, while the Goethe Adventure Trail is defined by the number of experience stations.
The Toskana Therme Bad Sulza offers Liquid Sound through permanently installed sound columns and speakers above and below the water. This sound experience adds another cultural and sensory dimension to the range of nature trails, museums and culinary experiences.
Discover more destinations: Altenburger Land, Eichsfeld, Gotha, Greiz, Hildburghausen-Suhl, Ilm-Kreis, Kyffhäuserkreis, Nordhausen, Saale-Holzland, Saale-Orla, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Sömmerda, Sonneberg, Unstrut-Hainich, Wartburg, Weimarer Land, Erfurt, Eisenach.
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