Orchards, fields and the adjacent Schaderodaer Grund shape the immediate surroundings of Tiefthal. GrundmĂĽhle and Schwellenburg are important destinations for excursions; a hiking route leads from Tiefthal to GrundmĂĽhle and back via Schaderode. The area also offers distinctive local history and public art.
Landscape and Hiking Options
Schwellenburg is a limestone hill northeast of Tiefthal. It lies at 227 m above sea level and rises 45 m above its surroundings. The nature reserve is divided approximately equally between Tiefthal and KĂĽhnhausen. Schwellenburg can be reached on foot from either village. Its name may give a misleading impression: there has never been a castle on the hill called Schwellenburg.
There are two different endpoints for the hike to GrundmĂĽhle: the route ends in Gispersleben after 10.4 km, or back in Tiefthal after 8 km. If you would like to return to your starting point at the end, the shorter option is the one to follow; the longer route leads to Gispersleben. Seasonal conditions can vary, so it is worth checking before setting out.
Local History and Public Art
St. Peter and Paul Church in Tiefthal was begun in its present form in 1510 and consecrated not long afterward. The village has several house signs worth looking out for as you explore. Together, these details offer a distinct perspective on Tiefthal: alongside the landscape, historic buildings and signs in the streetscape also shape a visit.
Another highlight is the work of Tiefthal sculptor Christian Paschold, who died in 2021. He installed replicas of some of his sculptures in the village; the originals are located throughout Germany. The distinction between the works on display locally and the originals makes the art offering both tangible and rooted in the place: the replicas can be discovered in Tiefthal, while the originals are spread across various locations in Germany.
Erfurt as a Separate Cultural and Leisure Destination
The wider destination of Erfurt offers its own urban cultural focus. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jewish-Medieval Heritage in Erfurt lies in the heart of Erfurt’s Old Town and comprises the Old Synagogue, the mikveh and the Stone House. These Jewish buildings are considered rare and exceptionally well-preserved examples in Central Europe. The Old Synagogue presents evidence of Erfurt’s medieval Jewish culture.
A 70-step open staircase begins at Domplatz and leads up to Domberg, with St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Severus’ Church. The cathedral displays a range of architectural styles: a High Gothic choir, a Romanesque tower area and a Late Gothic west hall. The central tower houses Gloriosa, the world’s largest freely swinging medieval bell. St. Severus’ Church is a five-aisled Gothic hall church and, from the 12th century onward, served as the collegiate church of a community of canons. Its artworks include the Severi sarcophagus from 1365, whose sides depict the life of the saint, a stone Madonna from 1345 and a 15 m-high baptismal font from 1467.
Another focus in Erfurt is egapark. Its attractions include the Danakil Desert and Jungle House, themed gardens, the Forest of Knowledge and the German Horticultural Museum. Its ornamental flowerbed covers 6,000 m², making it the largest in Europe; the park also has Thuringia’s largest playground, covering 35,000 m². Erfurt thus offers botanical and horticultural attractions alongside its historic sites, while Tiefthal has its own focus on the surrounding landscape, hiking options and local history.
Discover more destinations: Frienstedt, Niedernissa, Kerspleben, Molsdorf, KĂĽhnhausen, Erfurt.
Return to the main travel overview: Erfurt.
