Springstille: Half-Timbered Church, History and Landscape
Accommodation in Springstille
Springstille combines a striking elevated location with a rich local and church history. Views of Stiller Stein and Stiller Berg, the medieval predecessor church and the half-timbered architecture give the village its distinctive character. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can decide whether landscape, history or the cultural attractions in Schmalkalden should shape your trip.
Springstille’s Elevation and Location
Springstille lies 380 metres above sea level at the foot of the eastern foothills of Stiller Stein and Stiller Berg. The spring-fed pond of the small river “Stille” is also located near the village. Springstille’s elevation and the named landscape features can help you get your bearings as you plan your holiday.
The Gasthaus zur Hechel is right at the entrance to Springstille. The Gasthaus zur Hechel at the village entrance helps you get your bearings in Springstille. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can first assess Springstille’s location in light of your own travel interests: the village’s history and the named landscape features offer a different focus from the museums and city history in Schmalkalden.
The Springstille Church and Its History
The medieval predecessor of the Springstille Church was dedicated to St Peter and Paul and served as the parish seat of Steinbach-Hallenberg. It was destroyed in 1285; the tower’s lowest storeys are all that remain. The nave of the Springstille Church was probably added to the tower in 1628. The surviving lower storeys of the tower and the nave, probably added to the tower in 1628, illustrate the different construction phases of the Springstille Church.
The church is one of the few unrendered half-timbered churches in the Schmalkalden church district. Inside, the collection box and baptismal font are works of the rural Rococo style. The architecture and furnishings thus offer different historical points of interest: the unrendered half-timbered construction defines the building’s exterior, while two specific furnishings belong to a distinct stylistic tradition. Springstille was first mentioned in a document in 948, extending the historical perspective beyond the church to the village itself.
More Things to Experience in Schmalkalden
The wider travel destination of Schmalkalden offers additional attractions. At the Viba Nougat World, visitors can watch nougat being made in a glass-walled factory. A range of workshops gives visitors the chance to make their own chocolates, chocolate bars or a classic nougat bar. Check the current workshop booking details before visiting. To find your way around Schmalkalden, the bus and train station is just a few minutes’ walk from the Viba Nougat World.
The town’s history offers several ways to explore. Construction of the Town Church of St George began in 1413/14, incorporating parts of an earlier Romanesque church. At the most important meeting of the Schmalkaldic League in 1537, the best-known theologians of the day preached there; Martin Luther presented his Schmalkaldic Articles in the church. Wilhelmsburg Castle stands above the old town and houses a permanent exhibition on the era of Martin Luther and the Schmalkaldic League.
At the Museum Schloss Wilhelmsburg, visitors can see the grand halls, the richly decorated castle church, original room layouts with murals and stucco work, the palace kitchen and the terrace garden. A historic wooden-pipe organ there is still playable. Check the latest opening hours and visitor information before your visit. The Historicum Tin Figure Museum offers a different perspective on history: across 400 m², it displays more than 20,000 fully sculpted, hand-painted tin figures in scenes from world history.
The Neue Hütte adds an industrial dimension. It is one of the last sites where an early industrial blast furnace can still be viewed in its entirety, thanks to its excellent state of preservation. Visitors can explore the original furnace all the way around and climb to a height of more than 11 metres. Public guided tours of Schmalkalden’s historic old town run from April to October; ask the Tourist Information Office for dates and departure details.
These different highlights can help you choose a holiday apartment: Springstille offers local history, its half-timbered church and the landscape described above; Schmalkalden adds a factory, museums, a castle and urban history to your travel plans. Consider which themes you want to make the biggest part of your stay, and choose your location accordingly.
Discover more destinations: Meiningen, Brotterode-Trusetal, Kleinschmalkalden, Frankenheim/Rhön, Oberschönau, Trusetal, Roßdorf, Birx.
Return to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
