Molsdorf and its changing castle park

Gustav Adolph Count von Gotter had a Baroque garden laid out in the castle park, with a Hercules Fountain, cascade, orangery, ornamental flower beds and an abundance of sculptures. Its features range from water installations and plants to buildings and sculptures. Together, they give the historic design a tangible form, while the transition to a landscape park opens up another perspective on the grounds. This lets you view the park from two angles: its Baroque design and the shift in garden style.

Guided tours of the castle park are available on request from the Thuringian Palaces and Gardens Foundation. If a tour fits your travel plans, ask the foundation about what is on offer. When choosing a holiday apartment, this focus on gardens can be a helpful consideration: think about whether you would like to centre your stay on Molsdorf’s park history or combine it with other themes in the wider destination.

Getting there and planning your trip

Bus route 51 connects Erfurt and Molsdorf. This is one practical option when planning a trip that includes both places. Check the timetable before travelling, as operating hours and service frequency may change. This allows you to factor the connection into your accommodation plans without assuming fixed travel times.

Molsdorf has its own distinctive garden attraction; the wider destination of Erfurt offers additional cultural, architectural and garden-related themes. You can choose your accommodation according to which of these interests matter most to your trip. The places below are other destinations to explore.

Erfurt: distinctive cultural and garden attractions

In the wider destination of Erfurt, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jewish-Medieval Heritage is located in the heart of Erfurt’s Old Town. It comprises the Old Synagogue, the mikveh and the Stone House—rare and exceptionally well-preserved examples of Jewish buildings in Central Europe. The Old Synagogue displays evidence of Erfurt’s medieval Jewish culture. The World Heritage Site therefore offers a distinct focus, quite different from the garden art of Molsdorf.

Erfurt’s churches also offer a chance to explore a variety of architectural styles and works of art. St Mary’s Cathedral has a High Gothic choir, a Romanesque tower section and a Late Gothic west hall. Its central tower houses the Gloriosa, the world’s largest freely suspended medieval bell. St Severus’ Church is a five-aisled Gothic hall church and, from the 12th century onwards, served as the collegiate church of a community of canons. Its works of art include the Severus sarcophagus from 1365, whose side panels depict the saint’s life, a stone Madonna from 1345 and a 15-metre-high baptismal font from 1467.

The Petersberg Citadel offers another perspective on Erfurt’s history. It is one of the largest and only largely preserved Baroque urban fortresses in Central Europe. Its elevated position offers several viewpoints with sweeping views across the city; sunsets can be seen from the Michael Bastion to the west. From Cathedral Square, a 70-step outdoor staircase leads up to Cathedral Hill, home to St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus’ Church. The fortress, viewpoints and churches thus provide different starting points for a visit to Erfurt.

Gardens, learning and more to discover in Erfurt

Erfurt’s egapark combines several garden-related attractions with other facilities, including the Danakil Desert and Jungle House, themed gardens, the Knowledge Forest and the German Horticultural Museum. The park has Europe’s largest ornamentally planted flower bed, covering an area of 6,000 m². It also has Thuringia’s largest playground, covering 35,000 m². Alongside Molsdorf’s historic garden, Erfurt thus offers its own focus on designed gardens, learning and play. Facilities and programmes may change; check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Niedernissa, Kühnhausen, Frienstedt, Erfurt, Kerspleben, Tiefthal.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Erfurt.