In Saalburg-Ebersdorf, the Bleiloch Reservoir, a large landscape park and various sites of cultural and historical interest come together. The reservoir is 28 kilometres long and holds 215 million cubic metres of water. Ebersdorf Palace Park covers 50 hectares. This gives the town a range of options for planning your trip: water, parkland and history can each take centre stage.
Bleiloch Reservoir and Ebersdorf Palace Park
Ebersdorf Palace Park is a landscape park. Ebersdorf Park is also a monument to landscape and garden design of regional and supra-regional importance. A historical event commemorated in the park took place on 6 August 1931: the coffins of the last Prince Reuss-Schleiz, his wife and two sons were transferred from Schleiz Mountain Church to Ebersdorf and buried in crypts in the park.
The tree trail offers another way to explore the parkland. Since spring 2016, visitors have been able to learn about the trees and the distinctive features of the species growing there. Four ninth-grade students from Bad Lobenstein secondary school developed and created the trail as a project. Small signs display photos and the names of the tree species, as well as QR codes. The trail draws attention not only to the park as a whole, but also to individual tree species. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Cultural history in Saalburg, Ebersdorf and Friesau
The exhibition and meeting centre “Johann Amos Comenius” is housed in the former Brethren House of the Moravian Church. The churches also offer specific historical points of interest: St. Mary’s Church in Saalburg was founded between 1206 and 1223 and is considered one of the oldest churches in the area. St. Leonhard’s Church in Friesau houses a communion chalice dating from 1509, made by Schleiz goldsmith Andreas Eckart.
In Friesau, church and craft history come together; the chalice can be dated precisely. The park crypts, in turn, point to the history of the Reuss-Schleiz princely family and the transfer from Schleiz to Ebersdorf in 1931. Those interested in cultural history can make these different traces a distinct part of their stay, rather than treating them as the same thing as the area’s landscape attractions.
Trips and trails as different excursion options
The Saaletal cabin boat service runs from its berth in Saalburg either to the dam or, via Zoppoten, Heinrichstein and Saaldorf, to Harra. The two routes offer a clear choice: a trip to the dam or a longer journey with the named stops along the way. Check current services and departure times before planning your trip.
The hiking taxi offers flexible rides for transfers along the Bleiloch Reservoir and around the Thuringian Sea. Its stated operating hours are daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; the service works with four regional taxi companies. Two circular hiking trails also pass through Friesau. For planning, it is important to check the latest information on the taxi’s operation and booking options, as well as trail conditions.
Choose the right focus for your stay
Your planned interests can help you choose a hotel: if water and a possible boat trip are your priorities, take the route and current services into account. If you are interested in parkland and trees, the palace park and tree trail are a good fit. For cultural and historical discoveries, the Comenius Centre, the churches and the history of the park crypts offer different points of interest. Compare hotels in Saalburg-Ebersdorf based on their location in relation to your own itinerary, and check availability for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: MoĂźbach, Keila, Bad Lobenstein, Langenorla, Neundorf, Wurzbach, Kospoda, Gahma
Go to the overarching travel overview: Saale-Orla.
