The surviving Romanesque towers of the Rote Spitzen tell the story of a former Augustinian canons’ monastery. Recognized as a cultural monument of national importance, they offer a striking gateway to the history of Altenburger Land. Further cultural discoveries range from a castle on porphyry to museums with very different collections.

Castle, Collections and History

Altenburg Residence Castle stands on a porphyry rock and houses the Castle and Playing Cards Museum. The Playing Cards Museum is one of the oldest and most extensive museums of its kind in Europe. The castle and museum therefore offer two perspectives: the distinctive location on the rock and a museum whose subject is reflected in its name.

Another collection is preserved at the Lindenau Museum: its holdings include 180 valuable panels of early Italian painting from the 13th to the 16th century. Spanning several centuries, this collection offers a distinctive focus alongside the history of the castle and playing cards. At the Mauritianum Natural History Museum, meanwhile, the highlights are a historic bird collection, fossils from lignite mines and an interactive area devoted to local flora and fauna. Art and nature thus come together in Altenburg, while the museums offer different ways to explore.

The Brüderkirche also has links to historic routes: since 2014, it has served as a pilgrimage and information centre for the Luther Trail and the old imperial road “Via Imperii.” Those interested in pilgrimage routes and historic transport routes will find another cultural point of interest here.

Experience the Landscape and Routes

Altenburger Land is characterized by gentle hills, extensive forests and idyllic bathing lakes. In Altenburg, the Botanical Experience Garden offers a place to relax and unwind. The landscape also provides a setting for different ways to explore the region: on foot, along a cycling route or on a pilgrimage walk.

The modern long-distance hiking trail Neuseen-Challenge passes through Altenburger Land. Its signpost is a bright neon-yellow shoe—an eye-catching feature that marks the route. The Luther Trail also crosses Altenburger Land and can be walked as a pilgrimage route. The Pleiße Cycle Route, by contrast, is a cycling route through the region. These trails therefore offer different ways to explore: a long-distance hiking route with distinctive waymarking, a pilgrimage route and a cycle route.

The routes offer different types of outings, with no fixed order to follow. Those interested in pilgrimage can consider the Luther Trail; those looking for a cycling route can choose the Pleiße Cycle Route. For a longer walk, the Neuseen-Challenge is described as a long-distance hiking trail. Before setting out, check the current condition of the route in question if this is important for your plans.

Castle, Railway and Regional Flavours

The Museum at Posterstein Castle presents exhibitions on the region’s cultural history. A visit includes the castle dungeon and a climb up the 25-metre-high keep. Check the current availability of these visitor attractions before your trip. The visit combines an insight into regional cultural history with two specific stops in the castle.

The Schmecktouren in Altenburg combine a guided city tour with regional food and drink, as well as stories about the people and traditions of the region. Dates and booking conditions may change, so check in advance if you plan to take this tour. The focus is on bringing the city together with local stories, not just on the walk itself.

Another way to get to know the area is the Kohlebahn, a heritage railway with a 900 mm narrow gauge. Its 15-kilometre route runs from the outskirts of Meuselwitz through the Schnaudertal valley. Its gauge, route length and course give this railway a distinctive place alongside the walking and cycling routes. Together, these different attractions show how cultural history, landscapes and regional experiences can be explored in Altenburger Land in a variety of ways.

Discover more destinations: Schmölln, Altenburg, Saara, Heukewalde, Nobitz, Gösdorf, Nischwitz, Burkersdorf, Pleißenaue, Windischleuba, Göllnitz, Posterstein, Gößnitz, Ziegelheim, Meuselwitz, Vollmershain, Lumpzig, Rositz, Altkirchen, Fockendorf, Lucka, Löbichau, Langenleuba-Niederhain.

See the wider travel overview: Thuringia.