Piesau – Glass History, Traditions and Nature

Glass History and Stories of the Town

Glass was first melted in Piesau in 1622. The modern glassworks still produces flacons for the international cosmetics and spirits industries. The story of glass thus stretches from a specific historical date to present-day production for various industries. The Devil’s Pulpit is also part of the town’s traditional stories: a mysterious legend is associated with it.

Walpurgis Night and the Annual Fair

Every year on Walpurgis Night, the Piesner Mountain Witches climb Mittelberg and perform a witches’ dance around an open fire. The Piesau fair is also held every year, in August. Both events offer recurring reference points for planning a trip, but take place at different times of the year. If you would like to plan your stay around the fair, check the exact event dates and program in advance, as dates and program details may vary.

In summer, the athletics club “Saale-Rennsteig,” based in Piesau, organizes the “Saale-Rennsteig Marathon Run.” The route is known beyond the region for its elevation gain and its rugged, romantic course. Another activity is aimed at explorers: a fairytale treasure hunt for “Green Gold” is offered with the Herb Witches. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, ask in advance about dates and participation options.

Trails Through the Slate Mountains

Well-marked hiking trails in and around Piesau lead through the natural landscapes of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The area offers conditions for hiking and running in both summer and winter. One trail through the Arnsbach Valley passes through gorges and alongside mountain streams. For hikers seeking varied scenery above all, this is a specific route distinguished by these two features. The trails and their surrounding landscapes offer a different focus from the town’s festivals and glass history.

In the wider area around the destination, ski touring trails, cross-country ski trails and toboggan runs on the Rennsteig offer opportunities for outdoor activities in winter. These winter activities are on the Rennsteig and should not be confused with the trails in Piesau. For planning purposes, it is therefore useful to distinguish between hiking and running opportunities in and around Piesau and the seasonal winter sports activities on the Rennsteig.

Activities for Visitors

The large playground, children’s recreation center and youth club in Piesau are also open to visitors. For families who also take local activities into account when choosing a holiday destination, these facilities can be a useful guide.

Neuhaus am Rennweg as a Regional Excursion Destination

The destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg offers its own cultural and historical focus in the form of the experience museum. It immerses visitors in the lives of the “Wäldler” and invites them to listen, spend time and take part in hands-on experiences. The museum also presents the glassmaking and history of the Rennsteig town. Another notable feature of Neuhaus am Rennweg is the Gothic wooden church in the town center: it was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few churches in Germany built entirely of wood. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass, with the colors arranged to reflect the ripening of the grapes.

Neuhaus am Rennweg also offers its own points of interest for hikers. The Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail runs through the heart of the town. The “Bogenpfad am Rennsteig” begins and ends at the Igelshieb sports field, close to the Rennsteighaus. The latter is near the hiking parking area and Igelshieb train stop, and serves as a visitor facility with showers, toilets, a lounge and two outdoor bicycle lockers. At the Neuhaus am Rennweg Tourist Information Office, you can book hikes along the Rennsteig and hikes to historically significant destinations, with or without a certified nature and landscape guide. If you plan to include one of these activities, it is advisable to check availability in advance.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Holiday

When looking for a holiday apartment in Piesau, you can start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay. Piesau offers fitting points of interest for glass history, Walpurgis Night, the fair and trails through the Slate Mountains. If you would also like to include the museum, wooden church, Bogenpfad or guided hikes, Neuhaus am Rennweg offers a separate focus as the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Unterwellenborn, Lehesten, Lichtenhain, Mellenbach-Glasbach, Königsee-Rottenbach, Saalfelder Höhe, Cursdorf, Deesbach.

Go to the overview of destinations: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.