Anyone looking for a place with a history of technology in Wurzbach will find a clear focus at the HeinrichshĂĽtte Foundry. The technical museum is family- and child-friendly; visitors are allowed to touch the exhibits. Collection pieces and demonstrations offer different ways to explore the history of foundry work.
The HeinrichshĂĽtte: history and demonstrations
The foundry dates back to 1729; it ceased regular operation in 1982. The exhibition includes cast-iron stoves, fireplace plates and historic blacksmithing techniques. Demonstrations bring the history of foundry work to life and share insights into ironworks in the 18th century. At the HeinrichshĂĽtte, tangible objects meet the history of a craft and an industrial sector.
Working models of hot-air engines are also demonstrated. A steam engine is considered a special attraction and is described as the largest and most powerful in Europe. While the exhibition showcases historic objects and blacksmithing techniques, the models demonstrate how technology works—two different perspectives on the museum’s main focus.
Hiking and art in Wurzbach
Wurzbach has other, quite different attractions to offer, too. More than 120 kilometres of signposted hiking trails invite you to explore the low mountain landscape. In the market square stands a transformer tower colourfully painted by Michael Fischer-Art from Leipzig. Hiking and art in the townscape complement its industrial history, offering their own reasons to include Wurzbach in your travel plans.
Saale-Orla as a wider destination
The wider Saale-Orla destination has its own focus on waterscapes. Together with the approximately 80-kilometre-long Saale Cascade, which has five dams, the Saale forms Europe’s largest contiguous reservoir area, known as the Thuringian Sea. Bleiloch Reservoir is Germany’s largest reservoir. For planning a trip, the waterscapes of Saale-Orla and the history of technology in Wurzbach offer distinct themes to choose from.
Schloß Burgk Museum also adds a distinctive cultural dimension to Saale-Orla. It houses historic living and exhibition rooms with valuable interiors, as well as collections and exhibitions. Its bookplate collection comprises more than 200,000 prints and is the museum’s largest specialist collection. The museum also hosts concerts and festivals; dates vary. Check the specific dates if you are planning to attend a concert or festival.
Museum642 offers a different museum experience: visitors of all ages can explore the history of Pößneck on a personalised multimedia tour that takes in every level of the museum. Unlike Schloß Burgk’s historic living and exhibition rooms and collections, the tour here focuses on the town’s history.
The Wysburg near Weisbach is an archaeological excavation site of an old robber baron’s castle and a destination for a day trip. The medieval Hohe Straße ridgeway runs right past the Bismarck Tower near Neustadt an der Orla; the tower is 32.65 metres high. Another hiking highlight in Saale-Orla is the Rennsteig: the 168-kilometre trail begins or ends in Blankenstein.
Discover more destinations: Bucha, Stanau, Bad Lobenstein, Blankenstein, Dittersdorf, Neundorf, Kospoda, Lausnitz near Neustadt an der Orla.
Go to the main travel overview: Saale-Orla.
