Kölleda between Herbal Tradition and History of Technology

Kölleda lies on the edge of the Thuringian Basin and, thanks to its long tradition of cultivating medicinal and spice plants, is known far beyond the region as the “peppermint town.” The town also offers a range of cultural highlights for visitors: the local history museum and radio works museum explore different chapters of its history. The contrast between herbal tradition, technology and everyday culture can help you weigh your interests when choosing a destination.

Two Museums, Different Perspectives

The Kölleda local history museum is housed in a former printer’s house, where visitors can see a historic collection of stove tiles. The radio works museum documents the history of VEB Funkwerk Kölleda, from its beginnings as the Neutro plant in 1945 to its breakup. Another focus is the development of computing and data-processing technology, from the calculating machine to the modern computer. In this way, company history and technological development offer different perspectives side by side.

Items on display at the radio works museum include cameras, typewriters, telephones and radios from several decades. The museum also covers the history of broadcasting and its technological development, from the crystal radio receiver to the hi-fi system. You can also hear station identifications from various radio stations. If this acoustic aspect is particularly important to your visit, check in advance whether a visit is possible; the listening experience depends on the museum being open.

Museum Garden, Townscape and Weekly Market

The local history museum’s historic garden is laid out in the style of around 1800. It is home to numerous medicinal and culinary herbs, historic varieties of vegetables and old roses. The plants offer another perspective on Kölleda’s herbal tradition, focused on the garden itself. An orchard meadow adjoins the garden and is used for various events. If you would like to plan around an event, check the specific dates before your trip.

Kölleda’s townscape also includes the parish church of St. Wiperti, the market square and the town hall. A weekly market is held at the town hall every Thursday. If the market is important to your plans, check the date in advance, as schedules can change. This way, you can consider the museum themes, urban setting and market as different parts of a stay, rather than basing your choice on just one attraction.

Getting There and the Regional Context

Kölleda is served by Erfurter Bahn’s RB 27, the Peppermint Railway. If you are planning to travel by train, check the timetable before your trip. Alongside the local cultural attractions, getting there is another practical factor in deciding whether Kölleda is a suitable destination for your plans.

In the broader destination of Sömmerda, the Erfurt Gate and town wall add their own historical highlights. According to chronicle accounts, the listed Erfurt Gate in Sömmerda was built in 1395 as an entrance to the town’s existing fortifications; it was one of the first of five gates in the town wall, which was expanded from 1589 onwards. Thanks to continuous restoration and renovation, the historic town wall is well preserved. The Historical and Technical Museum in Sömmerda presents the town’s 200-year industrial development, from the founding of the Dreysesche Gewehrfabrik (Dreyse rifle factory), through Rheinmetall’s production sites, to the office machine factory in the former GDR. These topics belong to the broader destination of Sömmerda; Kölleda’s own museum and herbal themes remain clearly distinct from them.

Discover more destinations: Weißensee, Henschleben, Sömmerda, Kindelbrück, Buttstädt, Großrudestedt, Straußfurt, Guthmannshausen.

Back to the broader travel overview: Sömmerda.