Discover Themar: Town Church, Town Wall and Hiking Trails
Accommodation in Themar
When planning a trip to Themar, historic buildings and hiking are key considerations. The Church of St. Bartholomew and parts of the former town wall shape the townscape; Themar is also a stage town for hikers on the Werra-Burgen-Steig. If you are looking for a hotel in Themar, you can first decide whether the town’s history or a hiking trip should be the focus of your stay.
Town Church, Marian Altar and Town Wall
The late Gothic Church of St. Bartholomew was completed in 1502. Its furnishings include a Marian altar from 1510, attributed to the Bamberg woodcarver Hans NuĂźbaum. The building history and furnishings can be distinguished chronologically: the church was completed eight years before the altar was dated.
The former town fortifications are also a prominent feature of the townscape today. Large sections of the town wall, including seven defensive towers, have been preserved in Themar and shape the character of the town. Together with the town church, the wall offers another perspective on Themar—this time on the historic layout of the town.
The Ottilienkapelle, also known as the “Stone Church,” lies near Themar. Built in the 13th century, it is dedicated to Saint Ottilie. This medieval religious building, located outside the immediate townscape, is another historic site to consider when planning your trip.
Hiking linked to Themar
The Werra-Burgen-Steig is a hiking trail associated with Themar; the town is named as a stage town for hikers on this route. If you are interested in the trail, you can include Themar as part of your tour planning. The hiking connection complements the town’s cultural history with a specific reason to explore the route.
Landscape and culture in Hildburghausen district
A contiguous forest area in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Vessertal Biosphere Reserve are among the defining landscape features of Hildburghausen district. The district is also an important part of the Thuringian Forest recreational region. In the Rodachaue pasture landscape, the roof of the observation platform offers panoramic views across the meadows. Konik horses and Heck cattle contribute to the development of a natural landscape there.
The district’s museums offer a range of different themes. Hennebergisches Museum Kloster Veßra is a six-hectare open-air museum with four thematic areas: monastic history; half-timbered architecture and everyday life in the Henneberg region; and agricultural technology and sustainability. The German Castle Museum at Heldburg Fortress explores the history and culture of castles in Europe from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its permanent exhibition is laid out as a tour through the entire fortress and shows how castle construction changed from one era to the next.
In Hildburghausen, the surviving palace garden reflects several phases of garden design: it was laid out as a Baroque garden around 1700 and converted into a landscape park around 1780. The Natural History Museum has a vaulted room featuring suits of armour and two-handed swords, as well as large-scale secco wall paintings depicting the legend of Hercules, dating from around 1600.
More trails in the district
The Mill Hiking Trail in the municipality of Straufhain is about seven kilometres long. It passes through an area where nine grain and sawmills once operated; information boards at the former sites provide details about the mills. The route thus combines hiking with information about the area’s former use.
For winter sports enthusiasts, the municipality of Masserberg, including the districts of Heubach, Schnett and Fehrenbach, has more than 70 kilometres of cross-country ski trails as well as numerous ski touring routes. Trail length and grooming conditions may vary from season to season; check the latest information when planning your winter trip.
In Hildburghausen district, the Werra Valley Cycle Route runs through the Werra floodplains and is particularly popular for cycling downstream. The Werra Valley is also suitable for hiking and cycling; downstream from Themar, water-based excursions are also possible. Regional activities therefore range from hiking on marked trails to activities on and along the Werra.
Discover more destinations: Hildburghausen, Sankt Kilian, Erlau, Masserberg, Goldlauter, Oberstadt, Schnett, Straufhain
Return to the main travel overview: Hildburghausen-Suhl.
