Discover Hohenkirchen

Hohenkirchen can be explored through several distinct themes: the history of its church tower, the Kirmes, the Apfelstädt River and a cycling route through the surrounding area. The village also has the character of a typical linear village set in hilly countryside.

A linear village in hilly countryside

As a typical linear village, Hohenkirchen is first and foremost shaped by its settlement pattern. A linear village is a settlement whose buildings extend along a road; here, this form is explicitly part of the village’s character. Hohenkirchen also lies in hilly countryside, just a few kilometres from the heights of the Thuringian Forest. The settlement pattern and landscape therefore describe two different scales: the layout of the village and the nearby heights. If you are interested in the landscape, this distinction is useful, as it draws attention both to Hohenkirchen itself and to the Thuringian Forest in the surrounding area.

The church and the history of its tower

The Church of St. Gangolf stands in the village of Hohenkirchen. The history of the church tower is also one of the village’s cultural themes: it was destroyed by shelling in the final days of the Second World War. The association for rebuilding the church tower’s cupola restored it to its original appearance. In 2009, the new cupola was placed on the church tower during a joyful celebration. A cupola forms the uppermost part of a tower; the celebration makes this part of the building a tangible point of reference in the village’s history. The two dates tell different chapters: the destruction in the final days of the war and the later celebration in 2009. In this way, the tower’s architectural history connects its destruction with its restoration.

The Kirmes as part of village life

The Kirmes in Hohenkirchen commemorates the consecration of the village church and is still considered a social highlight of the year. It thus connects the memory of a church consecration with an enduring social role in the village. When planning your trip, it is important to note that the Kirmes takes place on a specific date. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date in advance.

The Apfelstädt River and the Flößgraben Circular Route

The Apfelstädt River flows through Hohenkirchen, giving the village its own connection to the landscape. This riverside setting differs from the heights of the Thuringian Forest: the river runs through the village, while the heights lie a few kilometres away. For a cycling trip, the Flößgraben Circular Route is a specific option. It connects Hohenkirchen with Georgenthal, Herrenhof and Petriroda along a well-maintained route beside the Flößgraben. The places named also situate the route within the surrounding region. If you plan to take the cycling route, check local information on current trail conditions. This helps distinguish the river as a feature of Hohenkirchen from the route linking several villages.

Which focus suits your trip?

These themes affect your plans in different ways. The church tower’s history offers a historical focus; to experience the Kirmes, you should check the event date. For the Flößgraben Circular Route, current trail conditions are what matter. Before booking, you can consider whether you would most like to discover Hohenkirchen through its history, the Kirmes or a cycling trip.

Discover more destinations: Seebergen, Tonna, Hörselgau, Ballstädt, Emleben, Schwabhausen, Mühlberg, Dachwig

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