The 86.7-metre-high central tower of Mühlhausen’s St. Mary’s Church is visible far beyond the town limits. A trip to Mühlhausen/Thuringia offers other specific highlights: music history at Divi Blasii Church, archaeological and art history exhibitions, and views over the town and its surroundings. You can tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.
Churches, music history and views
The viewing platform of the 34.2-metre-high Raven Tower at the Historic Fortifications offers panoramic views over Mühlhausen and the surrounding area. This distinguishes the Raven Tower from the highly visible central tower of St. Mary’s Church: here, the view from the platform is the main attraction, while the church tower is notable for being visible far beyond the town limits.
Mühlhausen’s music history is linked to Divi Blasii Church through two distinct periods. Johann Sebastian Bach worked at the church in 1707 and 1708. The present-day Schuke organ was built in 1959 based on Bach’s organ specification. Bach’s work at the church and the later organ based on his specification are therefore distinct aspects that can each serve as a stop on a cultural history tour.
St. Mary’s Museum also serves several purposes: it is a memorial to Müntzer and a museum, as well as a place for encounters between religion and culture. Its chapels feature a dedicated exhibition area on Thomas Müntzer. Visitors interested in this subject can therefore explore both the building’s role as a memorial and museum and the rooms specifically devoted to Müntzer.
Archaeological finds and art
The Mühlhausen Cultural History Museum offers a different focus in its permanent exhibition. It displays numerous archaeological finds from the Unstrut-Hainich district, spanning a period of around 6,000 years. The museum also presents 20th-century art from Thuringia through around 120 paintings and graphic works. These two topics cover different ground: the archaeological collection spans a long period, while the art section focuses on one century and specific visual media.
This distinction can help you choose what to see: would you rather explore archaeological evidence and its long time span, or focus on 20th-century painting and graphic art? Together with St. Mary’s Museum and the churches, these offer several clearly distinct cultural history themes to explore in the town.
Explore the Old Town on foot, by bike or on a guided tour
The Mühlhausen Tourist Information Office describes tours that let you explore the town independently on foot or by bike. These include well-developed cycling and hiking trails in the historic town centre, which is well worth seeing. Routes and links may change, so check the route information before planning your trip.
A public guided tour of the Old Town focuses on its sights and special features. The meeting point is the Tourist Information Office at Ratsstraße 20. Tours of the rooms inside the Historic Town Hall are a separate option and can be requested from the Mühlhausen Tourist Information Office. If you would like to focus on the town hall interiors, making this request is the appropriate next step in your planning; the tour is not described as an offer available without restrictions.
In the wider destination of Unstrut-Hainich
The wider destination of Unstrut-Hainich also offers its own nature and culture attractions. The Unstrut-Hainich district is part of the Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region. The Hainich National Park is another distinct highlight: on the treetop walkway, you can stroll 24 metres above the Hainich canopy. Those who are not afraid of heights can climb the tree tower to a platform 40 metres up; from there, views extend across the Hainich to the Thuringian Basin.
The National Park Centre at Thiemsburg presents its exhibition through films, large-format image panels, interactive exhibits and hands-on stations. A fully accessible media guide is also available for the exhibition; tablets and headphones can be borrowed. The treetop walkway begins 200 metres from the National Park Centre. The centre has a large hiking car park, a restaurant, toilets and a public transport bus stop. As operating arrangements may change, check these details before travelling. These attractions belong to the wider destination of Unstrut-Hainich and should be distinguished from the sights in Mühlhausen.
Discover more destinations: Schlotheim, Niederdorla, Schönstedt, Weberstedt, Kutzleben, Großengottern, Anrode, Altengottern.
To the wider travel overview: Unstrut-Hainich.
