Around 200 barrows, buildings dating from different centuries and protected gypsum hills give Auleben a distinct character. The burial ground is considered the largest in northern Thuringia. For a stay combining cultural history and nature, the town offers a variety of highlights—from the castle and former manor estate to spring blooms and hiking.

History in the buildings

Auleben Castle has stood since 1518. It is a solid, two-storey building with a half-timbered upper storey and a stair tower. The castle is also associated with Wilhelm von Humboldt: it was his residence for a time, and the Humboldt Room provides information about this connection.

The New Rüxleber Farm is a former manor estate; its residential and defensive tower dates from the 14th century. The farm complex includes a round-arched gateway, a manor house and an outbuilding. In contrast to the castle, the tower harks back to an earlier century. Auleben’s architectural heritage thus ranges from a medieval tower to the castle.

The Baroque hall church of St. Peter and Paul also shapes the townscape. It stands on a rise at the southern edge of the village and has a recessed west tower. A large churchyard, enclosed by a rubble-stone wall, surrounds the church. This architectural style adds another historic highlight to the impressions made by the castle and farm complex.

Exhibitions and activities at the Kulturhof

The Museum of Everyday History displays objects from daily life over the past 150 years. These include household and writing implements, film equipment, bicycles and motorcycles, radios and playback devices. The collection focuses on everyday culture, adding another perspective to the historic buildings. Check the museum directly for current opening hours.

The permanent exhibition “Sound and Power” is on display in the gallery at the Auleben Kulturhof. It presents documentary impressions of the Schulze organ in the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Auleben. Alongside architecture and everyday objects, music is therefore also a central theme.

Individual events for up to 25 people and one-off guided tours can be requested at the Kulturhof. Private wine tastings can be arranged individually. Check availability directly with the operator.

Gypsum hills and spring blooms

Auleben’s protected gypsum hills are home to many plants that thrive in calcareous soils and warm conditions. The flowering of pheasant’s eye and pasqueflowers is regarded in Auleben as a special herald of spring. When choosing when to travel, you can make this seasonal natural highlight a focus of your visit.

Auleben is well suited to hiking and sightseeing. Alongside historic buildings and exhibitions, nature offers further themes to include in your plans. The spring blooms provide a seasonal highlight, while the buildings and collections offer other points of interest.

Heringen/Helme as a destination in its own right

Heringen/Helme offers its own distinctive blend of history and scenery. The Old Castle in Heringen was built after 1320 and is among the earliest castles in Thuringia. After 1568, the Counts of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt had the Old Castle remodelled in the Renaissance style and added the four-storey west wing, the Schwarzburger House, known as the New Castle.

Heringen/Helme also offers a dedicated starting point for outdoor activities: the Nordic Walking Park in Heringen has a 2.50 km blue-marked route and a 4.25 km red-marked route. Both start and finish at the clearly signposted hiking car park on Eichentalsweg in Heringen.

Discover more destinations: Wolkramshausen, Harztor, Hesserode, Windehausen, Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Rodishain, Sülzhayn.

Back to the main travel overview: Nordhausen.