The Goethe Garden House 2 in Bad Sulza is an exact replica of Goethe’s garden house in Weimar. Together with the salt tradition, the wine trail and the Ilm Valley, these themes shape the town. Bad Sulza lies in the Ilm Valley; gentle hills rise on either side, some planted with vines.
Ilm Valley, Cycling and Hiking Trails
The Ilm Valley Cycle Route runs through the spa gardens and past the tourist information office. Bicycle rental and an e-bike charging station are available there. Check the operating details before your trip if you plan to use either of these services. The route through the spa gardens and the tourist information office offer cyclists two useful landmarks in Bad Sulza.
The signposted network of hiking trails has two starting points: the tourist information office and the Thuringian Wine Gate. There is also Wine Trail No. 6, a route just over 5 km long featuring three Thuringian wines and a digital wine tasting. If you are interested in a wine-themed tour, this trail combines the stated route with a tasting experience. The two starting points on the hiking trail network, meanwhile, help you orient yourself from a specific location.
Salt History and Spa Tradition
Extensive surviving facilities for salt production by boiling can be explored along the “Brine and Salt” themed trail or on a guided hike. The history of the salt works is also the focus of the Salt Works and Local History Museum. One highlight is the historic convent hall from the salt works’ heyday. The room itself has not been preserved in its original state; the furnishings are original and were used by members of the salt works society.
On guided walks, Norbert Becker leads visitors through Bad Sulza in historical costume. He shares the town’s history as well as its salt and spa traditions. This offers another way to explore the themes of the salt works trail and museum as part of a guided tour.
Church, Technology and Art
St. Mauritius Church dates back to an 11th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Mauritius. The Bad Sulza Railway Station Technology Museum displays historic consumer electronics such as gramophones and televisions, as well as equipment from the National People’s Army, GDR two-wheelers and other exhibits.
The Villa Sonneck Art Villa offers a different focus: it displays works by Bad Sulza painters Georg Judersleben and Karl Holfeld from different periods of their careers. At Goethe Garden House 2, visitors can touch the interior, try sitting on the furniture and test things out. Along with being an exact replica of the Weimar garden house, this opportunity to interact with the interior makes it a special destination for anyone interested in Goethe.
Spa Gardens, Kneipp Facility and Wine
The Kneipp facility has a foot-treading pool fed by fresh water from the Ilm and a barefoot path made from various natural materials, including wine corks. The spa gardens are also home to a music pavilion built in 1875, which is still used for spa concerts and events. If you are planning to attend a concert or event, check the dates in advance.
The Thuringian Wine Festival is held every year on the third weekend in August and is associated with the grape harvest. One of the highlights is the crowning of the Bad Sulza Wine Queen; if you are planning a specific visit, it is worth checking the event dates. The tourist information office also has a wine and souvenir shop selling original Bad Sulza brine products, including brine jam, brine candies and liquorice-tagetes brine liqueur. The selection may change, so if you are looking for a particular product, it is best to check in advance.
Discover more destinations: Ettersburg, Ilmtal-Weinstraße, Kleinobringen, Schwerstedt, Bad Berka, Kleinschwabhausen, Apolda, Magdala.
Back to the regional travel overview: Weimarer Land.
