A cannon left behind gave an inn in Tautenhain its name. Together with the half-timbered architecture, St. Johannis Church and the trails through the wooded Thuringian Holzland, the village’s history shows what can shape a stay here: discovering historical details and exploring the surrounding area on foot or by bike.
Local History and Architecture
According to tradition, the inn “Zur Kanone” got its name after Napoleonic troops left a defective cannon behind in 1806 while on their way to the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt. A replica of the so-called “forgotten” cannon can be seen at the inn. The story thus connects a specific place in Tautenhain with an event from the Napoleonic Wars.
The village’s appearance also reflects its architectural history: half-timbered houses with red tile roofs shape Tautenhain, and some have been carefully restored. Another historic building is the listed Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Johannis. Built in 1743 using older structural elements, it is a hall church. Its features include a gallery running around the interior, a colorful wooden-beam ceiling and a carved baptismal angel in the altar area. The organ dates from 1878 and was built by Friedrich Ladegast.
Hiking Trails and Countryside
Tautenhain lies in the wooded Thuringian Holzland, which offers many opportunities for hiking. The village is a good starting point for hikes and bike rides through the Eisenberg Mill Valley. This is a Flora-Fauna-Habitat protected area in the forest between Tautenhain, Rüdersdorf, Oberndorf and Bad Klosterlausnitz. Those looking to spend time outdoors can explore a range of themes: the trails themselves, the landscape and the village’s history.
The “Berthas Ruh” hiking loop goes around Tautenhain; trail signs along the route provide information about the village’s history. On the “Nistkastenrunde” trail, signs offer information about Tautenhain. Other trails lead in different directions: into the Elster Valley toward Bad Köstritz and into the Zeitzgrund toward Stadtroda. These destinations and themes can be considered separately when choosing a hike, rather than combined into a single route.
Excursions and Events
There are several themes to choose from for excursions, including the Eisenberg Palace Church, the Alfred Brehm Memorial in Renthendorf and the local history museum in Bad Klosterlausnitz. Other destinations mentioned are the ceramics museum in Bürgel, the watermill at Hainbücht near Stadtroda, the Heinrich Schütz House in Bad Köstritz and the Köstritzer Schwarzbier brewery. Together, these destinations encompass local and church history, museums, a mill and a brewery.
Tautenhain holds its annual Maypole Raising, which includes a children’s Maypole Raising. The Cannon Festival is also held every year in September at the “Zur Kanone” Hotel and Restaurant. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the event date in advance.
Getting There and Finding Your Way
For travel by car, the A4, via the Hermsdorf Ost exit, and the A9, via the Bad Klosterlausnitz exit, are listed as routes to Tautenhain. The village is also on the LIO75 regional road between Bad Klosterlausnitz and Bad Köstritz.
Discover more destinations: Mörsdorf, Zöllnitz, Großbockedra, Tröbnitz, Reichenbach, Rothenstein, Bürgel, Heideland.
For the broader travel overview: Saale-Holzland.
