Großvargula: Church Art and Winemaking Tradition
Accommodation in Großvargula
You can get to know Großvargula through three distinct themes: church art, winemaking tradition and outdoor activities in the countryside. St. Jacobi Church and Vargula Castle offer points of connection with the past, while hikes on the surrounding ridges and cycle routes along the Unstrut add outdoor activities. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider which focus you would like to make part of your stay.
St. Jacobi Church and Vargula Castle
A new altarpiece was installed in St. Jacobi Church in 1883, replacing the older painting from 1757. The painting by Professor Pfannschmidt of Berlin depicts the risen Christ with the grieving Mary before the empty tomb. A booklet also introduces all 45 gallery paintings in the church. Vargula Castle is of historical significance throughout the state. Together, these buildings and works of art add different dimensions to local history: a religious image, numerous gallery paintings and a castle of historical significance beyond the region.
Winemaking as part of local history
In 1954, Karl Simon Schwarz continued the winemaking tradition in Großvargula. The Landleben Foundation, based in Kirchheilingen, operates the vineyard in Großvargula. A vineyard festival is also documented in the historical record: the first was held in June 2012. Its varied programme introduced numerous visitors to winemaking in Großvargula. This event illustrates how the theme of winemaking was also included in a festival programme, without implying anything about further or current events.
Ridges, the Unstrut and the countryside
The Unstrut Valley nature reserve between Nägelstedt and Großvargula features dry slopes and calcareous soils. From Großvargula, you can hike on the surrounding ridges, and cycle routes run along the Unstrut. This gives you different options for outdoor days: a hike towards the ridges or a cycle ride along the river. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can take your preferred mix of local history and outdoor activities into account when choosing where to stay.
More experiences in the wider Unstrut-Hainich destination
The wider Unstrut-Hainich destination also offers distinct nature and culture experiences. At the treetop trail, you can walk 24 metres above the Hainich canopy. If you have a head for heights, you can climb the treetop tower to a platform 40 metres up; from there, the view extends across the Hainich to the Thuringian Basin. This is a different kind of nature experience from hiking on the ridges around Großvargula.
The treetop trail starts 200 metres from the Thiemsburg National Park Centre. There is a large hiking car park, a restaurant, toilets and a local public transport bus stop there. Check the current status of these facilities before travelling. The National Park Centre exhibition features films, large-format image walls, interactive exhibits and hands-on stations. The centre also offers a fully accessible media guide; tablets and headphones are available to borrow.
Mühlhausen offers another cultural focus within the wider destination: the town has eleven medieval churches and a surviving inner town-wall ring with numerous defensive towers. Today, 2.2 kilometres of Mühlhausen’s innermost and oldest town wall remain. You can therefore consider nature experiences at the treetop trail and medieval urban history in Mühlhausen as different themes when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Weinbergen, Menteroda, Herbsleben, Mühlhausen/Thüringen, Blankenburg, Bad Tennstedt, Südeichsfeld, Oppershausen.
Back to the wider travel overview: Unstrut-Hainich.
