Vacha combines a distinctive crossing of the Werra with a wide range of topics relating to the town’s history. The exhibitions at Wendelstein Castle Museum range from urban development and crafts to dolls and rural domestic culture. At the same time, Vacha is a hub for several cycling routes and the endpoint of a pilgrimage route. When planning your visit, you can therefore start by choosing a focus: local culture, cycling or pilgrimage.
Bridge, market square and Wendelstein Castle
The 225-metre-long “Bridge of Unity” crosses the Werra on 14 arches, connecting Vacha in Thuringia with Philippsthal in Hesse. The townscape also features many half-timbered buildings; the oldest date from the 15th century. The town hall, “Die Widemark,” was built in 1613 and is a defining feature of the medieval market square. Remains of the Servite monastery on the southern edge of town preserve Gothic wall paintings.
The town museum has been housed in the medieval halls of Wendelstein Castle since 1986. Its themes include Vacha’s development and history, documentation of the Border Memory Trail, crafts, trades and industry, and rural domestic culture. There is also one of Thuringia’s largest doll collections and an open-air exhibition in the castle courtyard. The castle hall features exhibits on the history of the Jewish community and the German Peasants’ War; agricultural equipment made in Vacha can be seen in the courtyard. The former keep offers panoramic views of Vacha and the Werra Valley.
Cycling and pilgrimage
Vacha is a hub for the south-to-north Rhön Route as well as the Ulster and Werratal cycle routes. Another option is the approximately 14-kilometre Berka–Vacha Cycle Route, which directly connects Vacha, Berka/Werra and Gerstungen. This offers a choice of different route options: several cycle routes converging in Vacha or a named connection between three towns.
The Ecumenical Pilgrimage Route also ends in Vacha. It connects the Thuringian town with Görlitz in Saxony and forms part of the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. The Vacha Pilgrim Hostel is located in the Kemenate at Kirchplatz 8, in the town centre and directly on the pilgrimage route. Cycling and pilgrimage are therefore two clearly distinct focuses to consider when choosing your travel activities.
Outdoor pool and hiking nearby
Vacha’s outdoor pool is on the green outskirts of town, just a few minutes from the centre. It can be reached by bicycle from the Werra Valley Cycle Route, as well as by car. Facilities include a 50-metre swimming pool, a one-metre diving board, two three-metre diving platforms and a five-metre diving platform. The pool’s size and diving facilities give you a clear idea of what to expect on a visit.
Near Vacha, Oechsenberg and neighbouring Dietrichsberg form the northernmost peaks of the Rhön; their history goes back to Celtic settlement. The Vacha branch of the Rhön Club regularly offers guided hikes in the surrounding area and further afield, and maintains the regional trail network. On Oechsenberg’s lower plateau, the branch runs a volunteer-managed hiking hut at an elevation of 594 metres above sea level. These destinations complement the town’s cultural attractions with hiking trails and landscape history in the surrounding area.
Vacha’s long-standing events include Carnival, the Kirmes fair, Vitusmarkt and Herzermarkt. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the specific event date before making arrangements. You can then tailor your stay to focus on Wendelstein Castle and the town’s history, a cycling or pilgrimage route, the outdoor pool, or an excursion into the nearby hiking area.
Discover more destinations: Berka Vor Dem Hainich, Marksuhl, Hörselberg-Hainich, Witzelroda, Treffurt, Urnshausen, Andenhausen, Dorndorf
Go to the overarching travel overview: Wartburg.
