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Altenburg is situated 45 km (28 mi) south of Leipzig and is well-known as “Skat-City”. It was first mentioned in 976 and became capital of the duchy Saxony-Altenburg in 1603. After World War One it became part of the state of Thuringia.In Altenburg playing cards have been manufactured for over 400 years and since 1927 the “Skat Court” has its headquarter in Altenburg and judges in disputes referring to the game.
Close to the Thuringian Forest, next to the Autobahn 4 between Gotha and Erfurt, the so-called "Three Gleichens" are situated on three individual hills. According to a legend a lightning stroke three fortresses at the same time in a stormy night in May 1231, causing huge fires that could be seen from far away. [German word gleich = like, or resembling].I was on the Gleichen Fortress, the northernmost one, in March 2003. There is no asphalted road so you need good sneakers to climb up the hill. The path was really muddy and sometimes steep but the panorama view from top worth the struggle.
Apolda is located in Thuringia, 15km north of Jena. The town looks back on 1000 years of history. In the early 20th century the car maker "Apollo-Werke AG" built here the cars Apollo and Piccolo. What most people do not know the Doberman was breed here by Friedrich Louis Dobermann (1834 - 1894) .
Dornburg is a small town 13km away from Jena and 15km from Apolda. The main attractions are the three castles towering on a steep one hundred meter high cliff. The town has less then 1000 inhabitants but looks back on a more then 1000 year long history.
Camburg is a small town with less then 3000 inhabitants in the Saale Valley, 15km away from Apolda. It is popular for the lime stone formation. The lime stone plates were leveled up due to tectonic movement. Quite impressive!
The Saale Valley has always attracted kings and dukes to built their lodges and castles here. The river has formed terraces and steep cliffs over the past 10,000 years. Long cycle routes and hiking tracks can be found here. Here you have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Goethe and Schiller, who loved to spend their holidays here. It is also Germany's northernmost wine-growing region.
Waltershausen was our last stop before returning home. It's a charming small town and boasts the oldest and certainly very large organ from the Bach period (1722). We wandered around the church for a while, making photos of the grand instrument. I hope to hear it some day, during a concert.
A slight detour on our way to Weimar to Apolda to visit the bell museum there, being a bell ringer myself as you may remember from my Brielle page. Anyway, Apolda itself has not yet recovered from the DDR period, you can see the former grandeur but it is still unrestaured and looking rather glum (especially when it's drizzling!).The bell museum itself was very nice. Lots of referrals to Apolda's own bell factory, and lots of examples of (very old) bells from Europe and the rest of the world (China for instance).
This is the village church where Bach married. Many people visit these days. It has been completely restaured and looks very beautiful. If you like, you can play the organ (which we did!). More photos to follow once I get my Dornheim page up.
Arnstadt has a charming old city center atop a hill, and here JS Bach had his first job as church organ player. You can visit the house where he lived, and there's a museum. Various nice places to have lunch and you can do some modest shopping and a walk around the old town which is nice.
Sorat IBB Hotel Erfurt Erfurt
1 Review and 60 Opinions Sorat Hotel !!!! definitely a nice spot in a quiet corner of Erfurt, 10 minutes walking away from...
Quality Hotel Weimar Weimar
1 Review and 122 Opinions We've stayed at Quality Hotel for 2 nights for a visit of a festival close to Weimar. All our stay...
Penta Hotel Eisenach Eisenach
1 Review and 75 Opinions I stayed here a couple times. If you're going to the GM/Opel factory it's very convenient....
Reviews and photos of Land Thüringen attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Land Thüringen sightseeing.
Q: Has anyone been to the Rosarium in Sangerhausen. I see I can catch a train from Erfurt and it appears tobe a 20 min walk to the...
A: The distance is walkable (and the old town of Sangerhausen has a bit to see on the way). I walked, so I cannot tell about taxis. However, in those small towns you can't...
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