Ronneburg: Adventure Bridge and Mining History

Bridge and landscape on different scales

The “Drachenschwanz” Adventure Bridge stands on the grounds of the 2007 Federal Garden Show: it is 225 metres long and is among Germany’s longest and most innovative wooden bridges. Following renovation, it reopened on 29 May 2026. Its length, wooden construction and comparative context make it a distinctive destination for anyone interested in unusual structures while travelling.

The Neue Landschaft Ronneburg offers a contrasting theme on a much larger scale: the site covers around 800 hectares and is located in the former mining district around Ronneburg. The Drachenschwanz draws attention to a single structure, while the Neue Landschaft highlights the extent of a former mining district. Ronneburg thus brings together different scales: a specific structure and an extensive site with a mining history.

Traces of mining and their history

The headframe of Material Shaft 407 is the only surviving testimony to mining activity in the Ronneburg region and is a technical monument. It stands at the southern exit of Ronneburg. The Ronneburg Mining Association (Bergbauverein Ronneburg e.V.) offers visitors guided tours of the headframe; contact the association before your visit to ask about tours and dates.

The Wismut*Objekt 90 exhibition explores Wismut’s development, from its early years as a uranium ore producer through its evolution into a modern mining company to the remediation of the legacy of mining. The story thus spans the early production of uranium ore through to dealing with the consequences of mining. For those interested, it offers a perspective that goes beyond mining technology to include later chapters in this history.

Town wall, church tower and museum

A section of the historic town wall survives near the parish house (former superintendent’s office) and is a protected monument. The base of this section is built of rubble stone, while the upper part is half-timbered. Today, the course of the historic town wall is visible only in a few places.

Another distinctive structure is the church tower, which is around 30 metres high. Its late Gothic, square form and octagonal crown define Ronneburg’s landmark. The Ronneburg Town Museum and School Museum are housed in the tower building of Ronneburg Castle; they are run by the town’s local history association. Before visiting, check with the association for current visitor arrangements.

Greiz: Cultural and landscape themes in the wider travel destination

Greiz offers a distinct cultural and historical perspective. Since 2010, the Upper Castle in Greiz has housed the permanent exhibition “From the Land of the Bailiffs to the Principality of Reuss Elder Line”. It explores the history of the bailiffs, lords, imperial counts and princes of Reuss, as well as the associated culture of small-state residences. The museum in the Upper Castle also offers a multimedia historical experience, with a computer-animated building history and an interactive journey through time.

The Lower Castle in Greiz houses a museum and a textile demonstration workshop. Established in 1998, the workshop showcases the production and history of Greiz’s textile industry; children and adults can take part in the manual production process. This offers a different way to engage with cultural history, in which hands-on participation is part of the experience alongside viewing the exhibition.

The architecture and park also have distinctive appeal: the Summer Palace in Greiz was built as a summer residence for the princes of Reuss Elder Line and is among the earliest Neoclassical buildings in Central Germany. Greiz Park lies at the foot of the wooded castle hill and is a 19th-century landscape park. The entire park complex is designated a national cultural monument.

Choose the right focus for your search

When searching for a holiday apartment in Ronneburg, you can first consider whether the local structures and traces of mining should be the focus of your stay. If the wider travel destination of Greiz is also part of your plans, the history of its residences, textile tradition and parkland offer additional themes. This helps you decide what kind of holiday you are looking for and tailor your search for a holiday apartment to the places and experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Gera, Hohenleuben, Hilbersdorf, Steinsdorf, Schwarzbach, Endschütz, Großebersdorf, Langenwolschendorf

Go to the overview of the wider travel destination: Greiz.