Auleben – Culture, History and Nature

Auleben combines archaeological traces, historic buildings, exhibitions and a distinctive plant life. If you are looking for a hotel in Auleben, these varied themes can help you understand the destination’s character and plan your stay around your own interests. Notable places include a large burial ground, Auleben Castle, the New Rüxleben Estate and the protected gypsum hills.

Archaeological Traces and Architectural History

Auleben’s archaeological highlights include around 200 burial mounds. The burial ground is considered the largest in northern Thuringia. It gives the town a distinctive historical focus, different from that of its later buildings.

Auleben Castle has stood since 1518. The solid, two-storey building has a half-timbered upper section and a stair tower. Wilhelm von Humboldt is also significant to the castle’s history: it was his residence for a time. Information about this connection is available in the Humboldt Room.

The Baroque hall church of St. Peter and Paul offers a different architectural appearance. It stands on a rise at the southern edge of the village. Its recessed west tower and the spacious churchyard, enclosed by a rubble-stone wall, are defining features of the ensemble. The village thus brings together different architectural styles and historical connections.

The New Rüxleben Estate was a manor; its residential and defensive tower dates from the 14th century. The estate includes a round-arched gateway, a manor house, an outbuilding and a farmyard complex. It therefore combines an older tower with several parts of a manor ensemble. The Museum of Everyday History is also located at the New Rüxleben Estate. Its collection includes objects from everyday life over the past 150 years: household and writing equipment, film technology, two-wheelers, radios and playback devices. Check the museum’s current opening hours before visiting.

Exhibitions and Activities at the Kulturhof

The Kulturhof Auleben gallery hosts the permanent exhibition “Sound and Power.” It presents documentary impressions of the Schulze organ in the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Auleben. Its focus thus differs from that of the Museum of Everyday History: here, the focus is on a specific instrument and its connection to the church, while the museum’s exhibits span many areas of everyday life.

The Kulturhof accepts inquiries about custom events for up to 25 people and individual guided tours. Private wine tastings can also be arranged individually. If you would like to include one of these activities in your plans, check with the Kulturhof about arrangements and availability.

Gypsum Hills and Spring Blossoms

Auleben’s protected gypsum hills are home to many calcicolous and warmth-loving plants. In spring, the blossoming of pheasant’s eye and pasqueflowers is considered a special harbinger of the season. This natural feature adds a seasonal perspective to the architectural and exhibition themes. Auleben is well suited to hiking and sightseeing. When planning, you can choose between a focus on nature, local history or cultural activities.

Additional Destinations in the Wider Heringen/Helme Destination

The wider Heringen/Helme destination offers other historical and active pursuits. The Old Castle in Heringen was built after 1320 and is one of the earliest castle buildings in Thuringia. After 1568, the Counts of Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt had the Old Castle remodeled in the Renaissance style and added the four-storey west wing, Schwarzburger House, known as the New Castle. This architectural history belongs to Heringen and should be distinguished from Auleben’s historic buildings.

The Nordic Walking Park is also in Heringen. It has a 2.50-kilometre blue-marked route and a 4.25-kilometre red-marked route. Both routes start and end at the well-signposted hiking car park on Eichentalsweg in Heringen. The lengths and markings provide two specific reference points for planning; the routes remain independent activities within the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Bleicherode, Sülzhayn, Hainleite, Niedersachswerfen, Wolkramshausen, Ilfeld, Niedergebra, Windehausen

Back to the wider travel overview: Nordhausen.