The Crispendorf holiday area lies in the Wisenta Valley. The Crispendorf holiday railway runs along the river and crosses the Saale-Wisenta-Plothengrund circular hiking trail. This provides two distinct points of reference for planning: the railway by the river and a named circular route. The operator also describes the railway as a good starting point for a short walk. As its operating schedule may vary by season, check before travelling whether the railway will be running during your stay.

Hiking and local history

Nearby, in Dörflas, stands St. Nicholas Chapel. The Wetzel family of manufacturers had it built in 1935; it remained in private ownership until 1945. After decades of neglect, the chapel was revived in 1998/99 by a small group of local campaigners. It was rededicated as St. Nicholas Chapel at Pentecost in 1999. Its history can therefore be read in clear stages: construction was followed by a period in private ownership, decades of neglect and, finally, the initiative to revive it.

The chapel is located directly on the Budapest-Eisenach International Hiking Trail; hikers stop there to rest. This brings together a specific route connection and a clearly dated history of construction and revival. For hikers interested in the history of places along a route, St. Nicholas Chapel is a notable point of reference in the area around Crispendorf.

More to discover in the wider Schleiz destination

The wider Schleiz destination brings together its own landscape and cultural themes. In Burgk, a district of Schleiz, the Saale Tower is 43 metres high; its viewing platform is reached by 192 steps and offers a maximum visibility of 32 kilometres. The Schleiz municipal area also has numerous circular hiking trails, including family-friendly routes through meadows and forests with views of the Saale Cascade reservoirs. The tower provides a single viewpoint, while the trails pass through varied landscapes. Check local conditions and any temporary closures before setting out on the Schleiz hiking trails.

The Oberland Cycle Route is another distinct point of reference in the wider Schleiz destination: it runs from Schleiz to the Thuringian Sea. Alongside circular hiking trails, it offers a named cycling route for exploring the landscape.

For culture enthusiasts, the “Alte Münze” visitor information centre in Schleiz has a permanent exhibition about Johann Friedrich Böttger and the history of the Meissen porcelain manufactory. The Rutheneum is also associated with a specific period: Dr. Konrad Duden was headmaster of the grammar school there from 1869 to 1876. This brings together an exhibition on the history of porcelain and a biographical landmark in Schleiz’s school history.

St. Mary’s Church in Schleiz has served as a place of worship for eight centuries. Its features include lavish Baroque decoration and a princely crypt containing the coffins of the Counts and Princes of Reuss. Burgk Castle offers another perspective on history: it is one of the few preserved late-medieval castles in Thuringia and impresses with its historic state and living quarters, as well as a well-preserved collection of historic interior furnishings. The church and castle highlight different aspects of architectural and cultural history.

The Schleizer Dreieck brings motorsport and engineering history into the picture. This natural race circuit is considered Germany’s oldest and lies south of the small town of Schleiz. In the old start and finish building, “motorwelt Schleizer Dreieck” displays vehicles from various periods in the road circuit’s more than 100-year history and invites visitors to the Schleizer Dreieck. As the exhibition content may change, check the current details before planning a visit. This adds a motorsport focus to Schleiz’s church, castle and town history.

Discover more destinations: Gefell, Gahma, Peuschen, Dreba, Bucha, Triptis, Keila, Plothen

Back to the overview of destinations: Saale-Orla.