Discover Tautenhain: Forest, Half-Timbered Houses and St. Johannis

Tautenhain lies in the forested Thuringian Holzland, which offers many hiking opportunities. Half-timbered houses with red tile roofs shape the townscape; some have been carefully restored. When planning your trip, you can focus on nature, architectural history or traditions.

Nature and Trails Around Tautenhain

The Eisenberg Mill Valley is a protected flora-fauna-habitat area in the forest between Tautenhain, Rüdersdorf, Oberndorf and Bad Klosterlausnitz. Tautenhain is a good starting point for hikes and cycling trips through the valley. The village is also a starting point for trails into the Elster Valley towards Bad Köstritz and into the Zeitzgrund towards Stadtroda.

Hikes around the village can also take in local history. The “Berthas Ruh” loop goes around Tautenhain and uses hiking information boards to tell the village’s story. On the “Nistkastenrunde” (Nest Box Loop), hiking information boards provide information about Tautenhain. The two trails have different focuses: “Berthas Ruh” combines a loop around the village with local history, while the boards on the “Nistkastenrunde” share information about Tautenhain.

Half-Timbered Houses, St. Johannis and the Cannon

A look at the area’s architectural history leads to the listed Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Johannis. It was built as a hall church in 1743, incorporating older building elements. Its features include a gallery running around the church, a colorful wooden-beam ceiling and a carved baptismal angel in the chancel. The organ dates from 1878 and was built by Friedrich Ladegast. The dates 1743 and 1878 mark two different points in time for the church and its furnishings.

Another local story lies behind the name of the “Zur Kanone” inn. In 1806, Napoleonic troops left a defective cannon behind on their way to the Battle of Jena and Auerstädt; the inn was named after it. A replica of the so-called “forgotten” cannon can be seen at the inn.

Annual Festivals in Tautenhain

The annual Maypole Raising is known beyond the region and also includes a children’s Maypole Raising. The Kanonenfest is also held every year in September at the “Zur Kanone” hotel and restaurant. If you want to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates for the year you plan to travel.

Places to Visit Nearby

Several destinations are worth considering for excursions from Tautenhain: Eisenberg Palace Church, the Alfred Brehm Memorial in Renthendorf and the local history museum in Bad Klosterlausnitz. Other options include the ceramics museum in Bürgel, the watermill at Hainbücht near Stadtroda, the Heinrich Schütz House in Bad Köstritz and the Köstritzer Schwarzbier brewery. The selection ranges from churches and museums to a mill and a brewery.

Getting Here and Finding a Hotel

Tautenhain can be reached via the A4, Hermsdorf Ost exit, and the A9, Bad Klosterlausnitz exit. The village is also on the LIO75 road between Bad Klosterlausnitz and Bad Köstritz. The two motorway exits provide specific reference points for your journey, while the road places Tautenhain between the two towns. When looking for a hotel in Tautenhain, you can start with the reason for your trip—such as trails in the Thuringian Holzland, local history or one of the recurring festivals.

Discover more destinations: Heideland, Tautendorf, Schkölen, Zöllnitz, Tröbnitz, Neuengönna, Bürgel, Bad Klosterlausnitz

Return to the regional travel overview: Saale-Holzland.