In Elxleben, the Church of St. Peter and Paul is a distinct cultural focal point. Its Baroque architectural history, historic organ, and striking architectural details give the town a clearly defined theme for a stay. The wider Ilm-Kreis destination also offers independent art, educational, and landscape trails for visitors with other interests.
St. Peter and Paul: Baroque Architecture and Organ
St. Peter and Paul is a Baroque hall church built between 1722 and 1725. Its 44-meter-high west tower was added in 1777. A sundial is mounted on the south side of the nave, and the interior has two tiers of galleries running around the church. Visitors can explore different aspects of the building: its construction period, the later addition of the tower, a detail on the exterior wall, and the layout of the interior.
The church is home to a historically valuable Volckland organ dating from 1751. It has 27 stops across two manuals and a pedal. Alongside the church building, this instrument reveals a second historical period. Details about the number of stops and the organ's configuration give it a distinctive character beyond its date and its general designation as a church organ.
A Romanesque figure of Christ, carved around 1200 and originating from St. Peter and Paul, is on display at the Thuringian Museum in Eisenach. It links the church's history with a work from a much earlier period; its current home is the museum in Eisenach.
Historic Concerts and Organ Tours
Individual events from past programs also give an impression of the cultural events held at St. Peter and Paul. In the 2012 Open Monument Day program, the church was listed as open from 1 to 3 p.m., with an organ tour scheduled for 2 p.m. The Elxleben program for August 2023 listed a concert by the Thuringian Organ Academy for August 28 at 6:30 p.m. A concert by the TU Ilmenau Chamber Choir, conducted by Sophia MĂĽller, was listed for July 13, 2025, at 4 p.m. These listings refer to the dates specified. If you plan to visit today, it is advisable to check current opening hours and concert dates in advance.
Art and Themed Trails in the Ilm-Kreis District
Excursions in the wider Ilm-Kreis destination vary in theme and length. The Kleinbreitenbach Art Trail is two kilometers long. Artworks adorn the Romanesque fortified church, the cemetery, the church square, the village, and the path at the edge of the village. The approximately 6.5-kilometer-long climate trail in Geraberg offers a different focus: more than 20 information panels explain natural phenomena related to weather and climate in a scientifically sound and accessible way. Visitors can choose between a short art trail and a longer educational trail with a different theme.
Another hiking option in the Ilm-Kreis district is the 21-kilometer Pilzsteig trail. It runs from Gehren via the Langer Berg to the European Mushroom Park in Gillersdorf, then continues through the Reicheltal valley to Neustadt am Rennsteig. Its length makes it a different proposition from the two shorter themed trails. For those who prefer cycling, the Ilmtal Cycle Path offers another regional perspective: the route is 123 kilometers long in total, with 45 kilometers running through the Ilm-Kreis district; it is certified with four stars.
In Elxleben, the focus is on St. Peter and Paul and a concert from a past program; art, climate, and hiking trails offer further excursion ideas in the wider Ilm-Kreis destination. The local church details and regional trail options provide different ways to explore, without confusing historic concert dates with a current events calendar.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Ilmenau, Möhrenbach, Geschwenda, Neustadt Am Rennsteig, Gehlberg, Elgersburg, Frauenwald, Gräfenroda.
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