Clingen combines a rich history of milling with distinctive features in its townscape and a natural attraction at Börnchen. When choosing a holiday apartment, one specific question can help: Should your stay focus primarily on what makes Clingen special, or would you also like to include destinations in the wider Kyffhäuserkreis travel region? Mills, architectural landmarks and regional excursions offer different points of interest.
The history of milling in Clingen
Clingen once had five mills: the Pfaffenhof Mill, Neumühle, Ölmühle, Papiermühle and Pulvermühle. The Pulvermühle, later called the Neue Ölmühle, was an oil and grist mill. From 1922, it supplied electricity for Clingen’s street lighting for many years. Its history is therefore connected both with milling and with the town’s electricity supply.
Town wall, Domänenhof and Loreley monument
A surviving section of Clingen’s old town wall includes a small tower with two embrasures near the church. The Domänenhof is, at least in part, the main building of the castle. Inscriptions show that its lower section is old. In the forecourt stands the monument of the “Loreley” men’s choir association, a replica of the Loreley rock. These features offer different clues: embrasures in the wall, inscriptions on the Domänenhof and a monument shaped like the famous rock.
The Gerinne is a damaged aqueduct and can only be reached from the sports ground. As its condition may change, check the current situation before visiting.
Börnchen and wildlife park
At Börnchen, a spring bubbles into a pond bordered by tufa stones, with a bench nearby. The water flows into a landscaped biotope. In contrast to the Gerinne, the focus here is on the watercourse and seating, whereas access and condition are important when planning a visit to the aqueduct.
Another activity is available at the Kleine Wartburg wildlife park in Clingen, where visitors can feed the animals. If feeding them is an essential part of your day’s plans, check that the park is currently operating before you travel.
More highlights in the Kyffhäuserkreis
The wider Kyffhäuserkreis travel region offers additional destinations in their own right. The Barbarossa Cave is an anhydrite cave between the districts of Rottleben and Steinthaleben in the municipality of Kyffhäuserland. Five miners discovered it in 1865 when copper shale mining resumed. The cave was named after the legend of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa, who is said to return.
The Sondershausen Adventure Mine offers guided tours at a depth of 670 metres all year round. These include an approximately two-hour truck tour through the underground labyrinth; its approximate duration is a useful guide when planning your time. Since 1923, the Sondershausen Palace Museum has been housed in the former residence palace of the Counts and Princes of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, presenting a varied exhibition across three floors.
The Kyffhäuserweg is one hiking option: this 37-kilometre circular trail starts and ends in Bad Frankenhausen. Its three stages lead from Bad Frankenhausen to the Barbarossa Cave, from there to the Kyffhäuser Monument, and back to Bad Frankenhausen. Alongside Clingen’s historical and natural attractions, the Kyffhäuserkreis therefore offers underground tours, museum visits and a hiking route divided into stages over several days.
Discover more destinations: Oberheldrungen, Gorsleben, Sondershausen, Nausitz, Oldisleben, WestgreuĂźen, Heldrungen, Bad Frankenhausen
See the wider travel overview: Kyffhäuserkreis.
