Großbreitenbach: Plateau, Church and Hiking

The state-recognized health resort of Großbreitenbach lies around 50 kilometers south of Erfurt and about 15 kilometers southeast of Ilmenau. Großbreitenbach stretches across a plateau between the Lange Berg, the Schwarza valley and the Rennsteig high-altitude trail. This location brings together varied landscape features, a striking historic building and a designated hiking trail.

The Plateau and Its Landscape Features

The landscape description brings together three reference points: the Lange Berg, the Schwarza valley and the Rennsteig high-altitude trail. A mountain, a river valley and a high-altitude trail each offer a different perspective; together, they help convey the character of the plateau. The approximate distances to Erfurt and Ilmenau add two geographic points of reference to this local picture. This can help you decide whether your trip should focus primarily on Großbreitenbach itself, the landscape or outdoor activities.

St. Trinitatis Church: Half-Timbering and Building History

St. Trinitatis Church in Großbreitenbach has 600 seats and is the largest half-timbered church in Thuringia. Its seating capacity and its statewide distinction convey two different aspects of the building: its size and its special standing as a half-timbered church. Its exterior is also distinctive: the church is entirely clad in slate, and a striking hexagonal roof turret sits on the steep roof of the broad nave.

The building’s history begins with an earlier church. St. Trinitatis Church was built from 1679 onward to replace the dilapidated Johanniskirche. That church had been built in 1570 and collapsed in 1771, with only its bell tower remaining. The new church was built to plans by Andreas Rudolphi, the state master builder of Saxe-Gotha, and was consecrated in 1690. These dates distinguish the history of the older Johanniskirche from the construction and consecration of its successor.

One furnishing also connects the church to the old Johanniskirche: the wooden baptismal stand in St. Trinitatis Church dates from 1677 and was transferred from the old church. It therefore predates the start of construction on its replacement. The architecture, building sequence and this reused item offer different clues for understanding the church’s history.

Hiking the Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail

The marked Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail is about 15 kilometers long. Various routes are possible, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. For planning, the length and difficulty range answer different questions: the approximate distance gives you an idea of the trail, while the available routes range from easy to moderate. If hiking is a focus of your trip, you can consider these details alongside the landscape and cultural features when making your plans.

Regional Perspective: Ilm District

The broader travel destination of Ilm District also places the Lange Berg in a wider geographic context. It is a ridge in the northern Thuringian Forest, 808 meters high, seven kilometers long and about two kilometers wide, as well as the watershed between the Ilm to the west and the Saale to the east. These details add information about the named ridge’s elevation, extent and role as a watershed to the local landscape description.

Another option in Ilm District is the Ilm-Rennsteig cycle path. It follows a former railway line from Ilmenau to Großbreitenbach or Neustadt am Rennsteig and connects the Ilmtal cycle path with the Rennsteig cycle path. The route is almost entirely paved and signposted as a bicycle street. Compared with the Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail, it has different features: its route along the former railway line, the cycle paths it connects and the surface of the route.

The Thuringian Forest Creative Museum is also located in Großbreitenbach; it includes the 1st German Dumpling Press Museum. Thus, the cultural character of Ilm District encompasses both church and building history and a museum with a specific thematic focus. These local and regional points of interest give you several ways to assess Großbreitenbach as a destination and potential hotel base according to your interests.

Discover more destinations: Böhlen, Behringen, Wachsenburggemeinde, Elxleben, Gräfenroda, Ichtershausen, Herschdorf, Elleben.

See the broader travel overview: Ilm District.