Georgenthal/Thuringian Forest: Dinosaur Trail and Monastery History

Georgenthal/Thuringian Forest can be explored through a range of interests: dinosaurs, monastery history, landscapes and activities at Hammerteich pond each offer a different focus. When planning your trip, you can start by deciding which theme matters most to you. The municipality has a dinosaur adventure trail, historic traces of Georgenthal Monastery, boat rentals and a pond promenade. This variety helps you choose a location based on the experiences you would like to include in your stay.

Dinosaur trail through the municipality

In the municipality of Georgenthal, the dinosaur adventure trail runs for 4.5 km from Georgenthal via the “Bromacker” dinosaur discovery site to Lohmühle. Dinosaur figures stand along the route, each with an information board. The trail thus combines a walking route with a clear dinosaur theme: the discovery site is part of the route, and the boards accompany the figures along the way.

A guided journey into the past

After booking in advance, an experienced GeoPark guide accompanies visitors on a journey into the past. Booking details and tour information may change; check the latest information in advance.

At Hammerteich pond: a boat or a walk along the shore

At Hammerteich pond, you can rent modern pedal boats or traditional rowing boats. You can choose between two types of boat; check the rental service’s current availability before your trip. If you would rather stay on shore, the pond promenade, with its benches, is suitable for walks and a rest. The activities offer different options: a trip on the water or a walk with a break on the shore.

Monastery history in buildings and stone finds

Columns and wall remains have survived from the former three-aisled Georgenthal Monastery. The Kornhaus houses a lapidarium with stone finds from the ruins: keystones, Romanesque capitals, vault ribs, cornices and window arches. There is also a stone rose window on the north gable of the Kornhaus. Visits to the exhibition in the Kornhaus are possible by appointment.

St. Elizabeth’s Church adds another aspect to the monastery’s history through its former function. It once served as a chapel for the farmers who had settled on the monastery grounds and for the monastery staff. Construction began in 1235, the year Elizabeth was canonized. In this way, the municipality’s history brings together surviving architectural elements and stone finds with the former use of a church building.

The surrounding landscape

The cadastral area of the Georgenthal district lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and extends as far as the Rennsteig. The Georgenthal district is also on the German Toy Road and is a state-recognized health resort. The route and official recognition may be affected by later administrative changes. If these details are important to your plans, check the latest information.

Discover more destinations: Friedrichswerth, Bienstädt, Aspach, Laucha, Tambach-Dietharz, Ohrdruf, Gamstädt, Hohenkirchen.

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Gotha.