Thuringia has several UNESCO World Heritage sites. You have the Biosphere Reserves of Rhön and the Thuringian Forest, or these three great treasures that are the Hainich National Park, the Wartburg Castle and the city of Weimar. The latter is distinguished for its classical heritage and the work of the Bauhaus modernists. Hainich, Wartburg, Weimar… a magical trio that will make you fall in love with this region of eastern Germany.

The city of Goethe, a republic which has entered the history of the 20th century, the cradle of the Bauhaus, the “German Athens” for Madame de Staël… Weimar, even if it only has 63,000 inhabitants, is a city of extremely important in the history of Germany, a place of pilgrimage inescapable for all those passionate about culture beyond the Rhine.

Intellectual reputation of Weimar dates back to 18th century when the Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxony-Weimar-Eisenach, niece of Frederick II of Prussia, also created in 1775 the Musenhof, a literary salon. Holder of his works and others acquired afterwards, a library bears his name. Its collections of manuscripts and old books delight connoisseurs. It is also a landmark of the period Weimar Klassik (Classical Weimar) which is between the late 18th century and early 19th. At the time, a number of writers, artists and intellectuals settled in Weimar, making the city of Thuringia a cultural capital.

Among them were notably two geniuses of Germanic literature, of universal dimension, that are Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich von Schiller. Both maintained friendly and intellectual relations.

Their homes, like those of their colleagues and patrons in the city, offer opportunities for walks. Along the way, you can admire architectural marvels such as the Residenzschloss castle, the Wittum palace, as well as several parks.

It was against this background that the constitution of the first German republic, known as the Weimar Republic (1919-1933), was written. A flourishing era for the arts which saw the creation of the Staatliches Bauhaus, an establishment directed by Walter Gropius who revolutionized design and architecture. Avant-garde in its time, its influence is still very strong today and this throughout the world.

Other arts were taught and rethought there such as painting, photography, or dance. Among the creators who worked in this high place of European culture are Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Oskar Schlemmer, László Moholy-Nagy, Johannes Itten, Marcel Breuer…

The Bauhaus has left many traces throughout Weimar: the old art school and the Bauhaus workshop, the former Institute of Decorative and Industrial Arts, as well as the Haus Am Horn which, erected in 1923, is a house prototype expressing the new ideas of the movement. A year later, the school moved to Dessau. Note that a new Bauhaus Museum Weimar will open in 2019.

Finally, Weimar is today a city with a very pleasant provincial atmosphere. We stroll with pleasure in the pedestrian alleys of its historic center before going to taste the romantic tranquility of Ilm-Park. A city with crazy charm.

Hainich National Park

Composed of forests, hills and valleys, the vast natural park of Hainich has the immense advantage of comprising exceptional expanses of beech trees, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. Together with other deciduous trees, these trees form groups which are close to what could be the primary forests of Europe. A preserved and superb site.

For its exceptional character and its stunning beauty, this wild territory is traversed by many hikers, along marked routes such as the Rennstieg, a very old ridge trail.

Another way to discover the wonders of the park: a path to the peaks (Baumkronenpfad) which, from a footbridge, allows you to walk about forty meters above the forest. The views of the canopy are as splendid as spectacular.

Finally, lovers of the unusual do not fail to visit Hütscheroda, the village of wild cats. Some of these rare and protected animals can be seen there, while educational facilities allow you to learn more about them.

Wartburg Castle

The castle of Wartburg (Wartburg in original) is what is called an eagle’s nest. In other words, there is an overview of the entire region because it is high perched. Infinite mountains and forests stretch out before your eyes.

Founded in 1067, it sheltered the landgraves of Thuringia, then the sovereigns of Saxe-Weimar. Having undergone various changes during its history, it has been restored and enriched with new elements to the 19th century.

The visit of its interior spaces, in particular the Romanesque palace, is enchanting. You have for example the bedroom of Elisabeth of Thuringia (Saint Elizabeth of Hungary) whose walls are covered with mosaics.

We also discover there the Lutherstube, room of Martin Luther, who being chased, took refuge in the castle in 1521 and 1522. It is there that he translated the New Testament into German, act of first importance in the history of Protestantism.

This place, as well as the songs of finds that we heard here in the Middle Ages, also inspired Richard Wagner for his opera “Tannhäuser” in 1845.

In addition, the patron of this composer, King Louis II of Bavaria, had Wartburg in mind when he had his castle built in Neuschwanstein. A remarkable site, from all points of view.

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