Saale-Holzland: Forests, Trails and Cultural History

Saale-Holzland offers different perspectives on nature and culture. The Holzland is a hilly landscape with extensive forest areas. There are also trails along the Saale and cultural destinations ranging from castles to exhibitions about crafts and local history. So when looking for a holiday apartment, a first question is: should your stay focus mainly on hiking and nature, or on sightseeing?

Hiking, Cycling and Landscape

The SaaleHorizontale quality hiking trail runs north to south along the Saale through the Saale-Holzland district. The Saaleradweg cycle route also runs north to south along the river through the district. Well-maintained hiking routes also lead through the Zeitzgrund. This gives you specific options to consider when planning your days on foot or by bike. Canoeing and inflatable-boat trips are also among the most popular outdoor activities in the Saale-Holzland district.

The Gleistal slopes are a specifically named natural area. The protected area encompasses Beutnitz, Graitschen, Löberschütz, Poxdorf and Tautenburg, and includes the former Poxdorfer Hang nature reserve. It covers 277.02 hectares and was designated on 27 August 1999. Together with the hilly, forested landscape of the Holzland, this gives you a range of nature-related themes to consider when planning your excursions.

Castles and Workshop History

The Dornburg Castles form an ensemble of three castles from different stylistic periods. The Dornburg castle grounds are also home to the Bauhaus Workshop Museum Dornburg, located in the Bauhaus’s former ceramics workshop in the Marstall building. The permanent exhibition provides information about the history of the site and displays outstanding exhibits. If you are interested in Bauhaus and ceramics, you will find a distinctive way to explore the site’s cultural history here, while the castle ensemble, with its three different styles, offers a different focus for sightseeing.

The Bürgel Ceramics Museum is devoted to the history of Bürgel’s pottery tradition. Its permanent exhibition spans from its beginnings in the mid-17th century to the present day. An audio guide leads to 22 stops in Bürgel and Thalbürgel. The exhibition’s long time span makes the development of the craft its central theme; the audio-guide stops also include Thalbürgel as well as Bürgel.

Castles and Local History

The castles and museums also offer different areas of focus. Schkölen Water Castle is a castle complex with a museum and changing exhibitions. Camburg Castle was first mentioned in official documents in 1166; today, only the keep, which is more than 30 metres tall, remains. The exhibition at the Camburg Town Museum ranges from Palaeolithic hand axes and tools and weapons from various cultural groups to the town’s more recent history. The Kemenate Orlamünde houses an exhibition on local history. Hummelshain Hunting Lodge was formerly a hunting residence of the Dukes of Saxe-Altenburg.

Choosing the Right Focus for Your Holiday

If you want to make hiking the focus of your stay, the SaaleHorizontale and the routes in the Zeitzgrund are specific options to consider in your planning; the Saaleradweg is a named option for cycling. Visiting castles and museums offers a different focus, from the Dornburg Castles and Bürgel’s ceramics history to the castles and local-history exhibitions. Consider which of these interests you want to shape your excursions most, and base your search for a holiday destination and holiday apartment on the places you would like to visit.

Discover More Places

More places and subregions: Jenaprießnitz, Tröbnitz, Großlöbichau, Bürgel, Weißenborn, Tautendorf, Tautenhain, Jena, Hermsdorf, Waltersdorf, Stadtroda, Eisenberg, Serba, Mörsdorf, Rothenstein, Reichenbach, Bad Klosterlausnitz, Seitenroda, Heideland, Weißbach, Kahla, Hügelland/Täler, Dornburg-Camburg, Gösen, Crossen An Der Elster, Schkölen, Golmsdorf, Hummelshain, Orlamünde, Zöllnitz, Neuengönna, Großbockedra, Renthendorf.

For the main travel overview: Thuringia.