Two distinct cultural and historical themes take center stage in Hohenfelden: the architectural history of St. Burkhard Church and the Thuringian Open-Air Museum. If you are planning beyond the village, the wider Weimarer Land destination also offers trails, museums, and experiences centered on regional cuisine.
St. Burkhard: A building history in several phases
Hohenfelden’s St. Burkhard, a choir-tower church, probably originated as a Romanesque predecessor building that was remodeled in the 15th century. After a village fire in 1810, the church was rebuilt in its present form. Its features include a wooden barrel vault and two galleries. The pulpit altar and baptismal font are made of wood and richly decorated.
The building therefore offers a chance to explore different periods of its history: its presumed Romanesque origins, the 15th-century remodeling, and its reconstruction after the fire. Its architectural forms and two decorated wooden furnishings provide several points of interest for visitors interested in church architecture and furnishings.
Rural artifacts at the open-air museum
The Thuringian Open-Air Museum Hohenfelden presents an extensive collection of rural artifacts from central Thuringia in changing special and permanent exhibitions. Sheep farming has its own dedicated theme: since 1993, the permanent exhibition “Shepherds and Sheep Farming in Thuringia” has been housed in the peat barn. The museum thus ranges from a broad collection of rural objects to an exhibition devoted to a specific aspect of life and work.
In the wider Weimarer Land destination, the Thuringian Open-Air Museum Hohenfelden also features more than 40 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century. The exhibitions and buildings offer different ways to explore the rural history of central Thuringia. Visitors can therefore combine a visit with an interest in historic architectural styles as well as in collection themes.
Trails in the wider Weimarer Land destination
In the Erlebnisregion Stausee Hohenfelden, the Museumsrundweg Hohenfelden follows scenic trails to local attractions and places to enjoy regional food. Named stops include the Stausee Hohenfelden reservoir and the Thuringian Open-Air Museum Hohenfelden. The circular trail combines relaxation and discovery in the Weimarer Land; check trail conditions before setting out.
The Thüringer Drei Türme Weg offers a different experience: this circular hiking trail crosses the protected landscape of the central Ilm Valley in the southern Weimarer Land and connects the Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, the Hainturm in Belvederer Forst near Weimar, and the Carolinenturm near Blankenhain. The Weimarer Land’s VitalParcours Bad Berka offers Nordic walking routes through varied landscapes. All four routes were certified as quality trails by the German Nordic Walking Association in 2011.
The other trails also have distinct themes: the Goethe-Erlebnisweg connects Weimar and Großkochberg, follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein, and features twelve stops combining nature and culture. Stage 25 of the Lutherweg runs from Weimar to Apolda. The routes between Weimar, Apolda, and Bad Sulza are designed for multi-day cycling trips, combining nature experiences, cultural history, and regional cuisine. The Ilmtal-Radweg passes through the Thüringer Weintor in Bad Sulza.
Museums and regional cuisine in the Weimarer Land
Visitors focused on cultural history will find a variety of themes in the wider Weimarer Land: the GlockenStadtMuseum Apolda explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. Since 1995, Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has presented exhibitions by international and regional artists. It also hosts events such as lectures, auctions, book readings, and film screenings; check the dates of individual events and current opening hours.
In Bad Berka, the permanent exhibition at the Coudray-Haus explores 200 years of the development of spa and healthcare. The Saline- und Heimatmuseum Bad Sulza traces the tradition of salt production back to 1046. At Wielandgut Oßmannstedt, a memorial and multimedia museum offer insights into Wieland’s life, work, and influence. The renovated estate is open to visitors; check the visitor information in advance.
Regional cuisine can also be a travel attraction in its own right: seminars or training sessions for up to 80 people can be booked year-round at the ThĂĽringer KloĂźmuseum. At the dumpling cookery school and the potato pancake school, visitors can prepare Thuringian classics. These experiences require advance booking and scheduling.
When choosing a destination, comparing the attractions makes all the difference: St. Burkhard and the open-air museum shape Hohenfelden’s cultural appeal, while the trails and other museums offer additional experiences across the wider Weimarer Land.
Discover more destinations: Kleinobringen, Ettersburg, Kapellendorf, Schwerstedt, Niedertrebra, Kranichfeld, Tonndorf, Bad Berka.
View the wider travel guide: Weimarer Land.
