A striking number defines the palace park at Kromsdorf Palace: 64 sandstone busts adorn its wall. Starting in 1664, Baron Johan Theodor de Mortaigne had it decorated with depictions of historical and exotic figures. Here, the portraits and the wall’s architecture go hand in hand—a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in historical design.

Culture among Park Walls, Castles and Mechanics

Another historic site is the listed Teutonic Order Castle of Liebstedt. It is the only surviving European passage castle and opens only for events. So if you would like to include the castle in your plans, check the event dates.

In Leutenthal, the Leonardo da Vinci Park, associated with the open-air museum, features mechanical machines that convert motion. They are based on the artist’s drawings and concepts. The focus is therefore on technical ideas and their implementation in machines—a different kind of discovery from the park design at Kromsdorf or the architectural form of the Teutonic Order castle.

The three places appeal to different interests: portraits and historical design, castle architecture, or mechanical engineering. This comparison can help you choose without presenting the attractions as a single, unified route.

More themes in the wider destination of the Weimarer Land

In the Weimarer Land, hiking and cycling routes, along with independent cultural destinations, offer more ways to shape your trip. The Thüringer Drei Türme Weg is a circular hiking trail through the protected landscape of the Middle Ilm Valley in the southern Weimarer Land. It connects the Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, the Hainturm in Belvedere Forest near Weimar, and the Carolinenturm near Blankenhain.

The Goethe-Erlebnisweg takes a different approach: it follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein, connects Weimar and Großkochberg, and features twelve experience stations combining nature and culture. Check trail conditions before setting out. In Bad Berka, the four routes of the VitalParcours offer Nordic walking trails through varied landscapes. The German Nordic Walking Association confirmed the four routes as quality trails in 2011; be sure to take current trail conditions into account when planning.

For multi-day cycling trips, routes between Weimar, Apolda and Bad Sulza combine nature, cultural history and regional cuisine. The Ilmtal Cycle Route passes through the Thüringer Weintor in Bad Sulza. If you choose this regional cycling option, include current route conditions in your plans.

The cultural destinations also differ in their focus. The GlockenStadtMuseum Apolda explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. Since 1995, Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has hosted exhibitions by international and regional artists; it also holds lectures, auctions, book readings and film screenings. Check current opening hours and event dates before your visit.

The Thüringer Freilichtmuseum Hohenfelden features more than 40 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century. In the Coudray-Haus Bad Berka, a permanent exhibition covers 200 years of the development of spa and healthcare in Bad Berka; check current visitor information in advance. The region’s options range from historic buildings and exhibitions to hiking and cycling, while the three cultural sites in Ilmtal-Weinstraße each retain their own distinct focus.

Discover more destinations: Kromsdorf, Kleinobringen, Kapellendorf, Blankenhain, Possendorf, Bad Sulza, Magdala, Mellingen

Back to the main travel overview: Weimarer Land.