Ilmtal-Weinstraße: Busts, Castle and Technology

Sculpture, defensive architecture and mechanics

From 1664, Baron Johan Theodor de Mortaigne had the wall in the park of Kromsdorf Castle adorned with 64 sandstone busts. They depict historical and exotic figures. The series turns the park wall itself into a showcase for an extensive collection of figures: rather than a single monument, you’ll encounter many different faces and subjects here.

The listed Liebstedt Commandery is the only surviving passage castle in Europe. Its distinctive feature is its design: a passage castle brings together the idea of a castle and a passageway. Access is restricted, which is important to bear in mind when planning: the castle opens only for events. Anyone considering a visit should therefore plan around the event dates.

In Leutenthal, the Leonardo da Vinci Park, associated with the open-air museum, features mechanical machines that convert motion, based on the artist’s drawings and concepts. The focus here is on turning designs into mechanical devices. Together, the busts, castle and machines offer three distinct reasons to explore art, architecture and technical ideas.

Weimarer Land: routes and culture in a wider setting

The routes in the wider Weimarer Land travel destination each have a different focus. The Thuringian Three Towers Trail is a circular hiking route through the protected landscape of the Middle Ilm Valley in southern Weimarer Land. It links Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, Hainturm in Belvedere Forest near Weimar and Carolinenturm near Blankenhain. The landscape and the three named towers define the character of this route.

The Goethe Adventure Trail connects Weimar and Großkochberg, follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein and features twelve experience stations spanning nature and culture. In contrast to the Three Towers Trail, the focus here is on Goethe’s journey and the stations along the way. If you’re planning to go Nordic walking, the VitalParcours Bad Berka offers routes through varied landscapes. The four routes in the course were certified as quality trails by the German Nordic Walking Association in 2011; check current trail conditions before setting out.

The museums in Weimarer Land offer a range of perspectives, too. The Thuringian Open-Air Museum Hohenfelden displays more than 40 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century. By contrast, the permanent exhibition at the Coudray House in Bad Berka covers 200 years of the development of spa and healthcare services in Bad Berka. The Bad Sulza Saltworks and Local History Museum explores the salt-making tradition, which dates back to 1046. Check current opening hours before visiting the Coudray House.

In Apolda, the GlockenStadtMuseum explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. Since 1995, the Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has hosted exhibitions by international and regional artists; its programme also includes talks, auctions, book readings and film screenings. As events change, it’s worth checking current dates and opening hours before planning a specific visit.

Discover the area on the move—and through its food

For a different way to experience Weimarer Land, consider its cycling routes: the routes between Weimar, Apolda and Bad Sulza combine nature, cultural history and regional cuisine, making them suitable for multi-day cycling trips. The Ilmtal Cycle Route passes through the Thuringian Wine Gate in Bad Sulza. Another route idea is stage 25 of the Luther Trail in Weimarer Land, which runs from Weimar to Apolda. Check the conditions for each route before setting off.

Regional food culture also makes for a great day out. Seminars or training sessions for up to 80 people can be booked year-round at the Thuringian Dumpling Museum. At the dumpling cookery school and potato pancake school, you can prepare Thuringian classics. These activities require a booking and arrangements for a suitable date. The options are quite distinct, ranging from walking and cycling routes to cultural history and a planned cooking class.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Ilmtal-Weinstraße, the focus of your trip can help you decide: would you mainly like to explore local cultural attractions, or include routes and museums in the wider Weimarer Land as well? Events, visits and tours each have their own conditions, so check the relevant dates and route information in advance.

Discover more places

Kromsdorf, Niederzimmern, Niedergrunstedt, Mellingen, Kleinschwabhausen, Bad Sulza, Gaberndorf, Kranichfeld

For the wider travel overview: Weimarer Land.