Neudietendorf combines a distinctive location in the Apfelstädt Valley with clear themes of nature and culture. On the Kirchberg is an orchard meadow that has been cultivated since 1724; the history of the Bohemian Brethren dates back to a settlement on the banks of the Apfelstädt. Other landmarks include the church hall, the Gottesacker cemetery and views of the Drei Gleichen. This gives the destination a clear focus: landscape and historical development sit side by side, without either theme replacing the other.
Location between the Apfelstädt and the Drei Gleichen
Neudietendorf lies in the Apfelstädt Valley, on the southern edge of the Thuringian Basin. In the village, the Weidbach, which comes from Sülzenbrücken, flows into the Apfelstädt; its source is in Mühlberg. The Apfelstädt and Weidbach provide a clear point of reference within the river landscape. Neudietendorf is also the cultural and geographic center of the municipality of Nesse-Apfelstädt. From here, there are views to the southwest of the Drei Gleichen, a group of castles that gives the area its name. This makes it easy to distinguish two different points of reference: the confluence in the village and the view of the group of castles to the southwest.
The orchard meadow on the Kirchberg
The “Kirchberg” orchard meadow was established in 1724 and has been cultivated ever since. It is a habitat for numerous animal and plant species, including some that are highly endangered. Its long history of cultivation and importance as a habitat bring together landscape history and nature. The meadow is therefore a specific point of interest for anyone whose choice of destination is also guided by an interest in biodiversity and cultural landscapes.
Guided tours for families and children are sometimes offered on the orchard meadow on the Kirchberg. If you would like to include a tour in your plans, check current dates with the local conservation group. This lets you coordinate the tour with your other travel plans without assuming that a particular date will be available.
The history of the Bohemian Brethren and the church hall
In 1742, members of the “Bohemian Brethren” acquired an old manor house from Count Gotter, along with a settlement on the banks of the Apfelstädt. Ten families settled there and wanted to live according to the Herrnhut model. Because of disagreements with the Lutheran rulers, the early community was disbanded several times. The history of the settlement was therefore marked by disruption.
In Neudietendorf, choir houses were first built for the unmarried brothers and sisters, followed later by the church hall and other buildings. The foundation stone for the church hall was laid on April 6, 1779, and it was consecrated on December 2, 1780. The two dates mark different stages in its creation: the laying of the foundation stone and the later consecration. Together with the sequence of buildings, they provide a timeline for the history of the community in the village.
Gottesacker: gravestones and Easter liturgy
The cemetery, also known as the Gottesacker, has a simple design. The uniform horizontal gravestones bear only the deceased person's name, their birth and death dates, and a verse. The oldest grave dates from 1743. The brief inscriptions and uniform design add a distinctive note alongside the buildings of the former community: here, the focus is on individual life dates and verses.
At sunrise on Easter Sunday, the Easter liturgy is celebrated at the Gottesacker. The grave design and this religious connection are two distinct aspects of the site: on the one hand, the simple gravestones; on the other, the Easter Sunday liturgy.
Discover more destinations: Schwabhausen, Tonna, Tabarz, Aspach, Günthersleben-Wechmar, Mühlberg, Gräfenhain, Apfelstädt.
For the broader travel overview: Gotha.
