Frankenheim/Rhön: Border History and Winter Experiences

Church and Border History

The Protestant church in Frankenheim was built in the neo-Gothic style in 1885–1886. Its construction period, denomination and architecture make it a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in local history and church architecture. Its neo-Gothic design connects the sight of a single building with a clear historical setting in the late 19th century.

Frankenheim’s border history also has a clear historical context: until 1989, the village lay directly on the inner-German border and between the former listening posts at Wasserkuppe and Ellenbogen, where the Eisenacher Haus is located. In the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, the former inner-German border strip is part of the Green Belt, a national natural monument under special nature conservation and historical protection. The village’s history thus brings together a specific year of construction and a defining historical border location.

Linger by the Trail and the Pond Complex

The panoramic hiking trail in Frankenheim is considered a worthwhile detour and invites not only hikers but other visitors as well to linger. The pond complex is also a worthwhile detour that invites you to stay awhile. Both destinations offer a reason not to focus your stay exclusively on a sporting activity. In winter, a different focus comes into play: because of its high elevation, Frankenheim is then considered a popular destination for cross-country skiers. This range of interests can help with your planning, depending on whether you are looking for a stay focused more on local history and time to linger or on cross-country skiing in winter.

More Landscapes in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen Destination

Beyond Frankenheim, the splendid region of Schmalkalden-Meiningen district encompasses four varied landscapes: the Thuringian Forest, the Rhön, the Werra Valley and the Grabfeld. They can be explored on foot, whether for sporting adventures or relaxed family outings. The wider destination therefore offers everything from active days of hiking to more leisurely activities. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider whether Frankenheim itself should be the focus or whether you would prefer to plan a broader trip around the landscapes and attractions of Schmalkalden-Meiningen.

Nature experiences also vary considerably across this wider selection. The Breitunger Seen nature reserve has a 3.5-kilometre hiking trail with seating areas. At Trusetal Waterfall, the water plunges 60 metres down over a granite formation in three cascades; visitors can also climb 228 steps. The lakeside trail and the waterfall offer different highlights for a day trip in Schmalkalden-Meiningen.

Crafts, Technology and Nougat

The wider Schmalkalden-Meiningen destination also offers a range of themes for culture enthusiasts. The “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum in Schmalkalden focuses on a blast furnace complex dating from 1835: local iron ores were smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. The exhibitions explore the nearly 1,300-year development of iron and steel goods production in the Schmalkalden region, including the well-known “Schmalkalder Artikel.” A 45-minute guided tour covers the history and function of the blast furnace operation.

The original workshops at the Metalworking Museum offer a hands-on look at the craft, showing how nails, pliers and corkscrews have been made for centuries. Viba Nougat-Welt in Schmalkalden offers a very different focus: visitors can watch smooth, melt-in-the-mouth nougat being made in a glass-walled factory. There are also hands-on confectionery courses in chocolate moulding, nougat decorating and praline making. If you plan to take one of these courses, check the dates and booking conditions in advance.

Discover More Destinations

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Back to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.