Discover Barchfeld-Immelborn

Lakes, protected habitats, a cycle route and distinctive traces of local history give Barchfeld-Immelborn a varied character. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for your trip, you can consider whether nature, time by the water, cycling or culture should shape your stay. Barchfeld and Immelborn offer a range of ways to explore, from the lakes at the gravel pit to historical relief carvings.

Lakes and events at the gravel pit

The “Kiesgrube Immelborn” local recreation centre consists of two separate lakes, with a road running between them. There are sunbathing lawns along the shores, with individual trees providing shade. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with a stay on the lawns. The two lakes do not form one continuous body of water, but are separate parts of the recreation centre.

Recurring sporting events are also part of the annual calendar at the gravel pit: a triathlon and the Kiesseeschwimmen open-water swim take place there every year. Anyone can take part in the Kiesseeschwimmen. If you enjoy combining a trip with a sporting event, this competition is another reason to consider including the area in your holiday plans.

Distinctive natural areas

The Forstloch-Riedwiesen nature reserve has several information boards and a marked circular trail. The area therefore offers both information on site and a designated way to explore it on foot. Its birdlife is also noteworthy for nature enthusiasts: 192 bird species have been recorded there, making it one of the most species-rich areas in southern Thuringia.

Another special feature is the “Erlensee-Salzwiesen” natural monument on the boundary between the districts of Immelborn and Dorf Allendorf. It is protected for its abundance of salt-tolerant plants and specialised insects, which are rare in the region. If you would like to include a range of nature themes in your trip, alongside the bird-rich Forstloch-Riedwiesen you will find a habitat with distinctive plant and insect life here.

Church, cemetery and historical depictions

The Amalienkirche in Immelborn was built in 1473 and dedicated to Saint Amalia. Barchfeld’s Jewish cemetery on Nürnberger Straße has been in existence since 1853. Around 80 simple sandstone gravestones remain there today. Their approximate number and material give the site a tangible, concrete character; the cemetery also represents a distinct part of local history.

Reliefs with religious and secular themes have been preserved in the castle dungeon of Steinsches Schloss. They include scenes of the Crucifixion and a view of Jerusalem, as well as depictions of knights, hunting and animals. The varied subject matter offers an introduction for anyone interested in historical art and imagery. Barchfeld’s industrial heritage also includes Malsch & Volkert: the machinery at this industrial heritage site is still operational and can be demonstrated during visits.

Cycling and further discoveries

The Werra Valley Cycle Route runs directly through Barchfeld. In Immelborn, a stork’s nest sits on a protected former brickworks chimney directly beside the cycle route. Different points of interest therefore meet along the route: the ride through Barchfeld and the nest on the historic chimney in Immelborn.

The local history room in Immelborn is currently closed to visitors because it is relocating. It is intended to show, through household items, tools, clothing, traditional costumes and work equipment, how residents lived in the past and what local customs and trades existed.

Getting here and choosing a base for your stay

If you would like to travel by train, Immelborn station is one option: the Südthüringen Bahn stops there several times a day on its route between Eisenach and Meiningen. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can also consider whether travelling by train is important to you. The area’s different attractions can help guide the rest of your holiday planning: time at the lakes, nature watching, cycling or local history.

More places

If you would like to expand your search to include other places: Witzelroda, Mihla, Bischofroda, Krayenberggemeinde, Merkers-Kieselbach, Fischbach, Frankenroda, Kaltennordheim.

For the main travel overview: Wartburg.