Probstzella: Bauhaus, Border History and the Slate Trail

Probstzella brings together Bauhaus architecture, local history and trails through the landscape. Notable highlights include the House of the People, the GDR Border Station Museum and the local history museum. Outdoors, the Green Belt and the Slate Trail offer opportunities to explore the town and its surroundings on foot. You can tailor your stay to whether architecture, history or outdoor activities are your main focus.

Bauhaus architecture at the House of the People

The House of the People, built in 1927, is the largest Bauhaus ensemble in Thuringia. It was constructed between 1925 and 1927 as a hotel and community centre; the architect was Alfred Arndt, a Bauhaus student. Its original design thus combined accommodation with use as a community centre. Today, the building houses a theatre and concert hall. For visitors interested in Bauhaus architecture, the House therefore offers both a specific place to visit and a history of its construction that extends to the spaces in use today.

Museums: railway station, local history and slate mining

The Probstzella GDR Border Station Museum is housed in the old railway station building, dating from 1885. The local history museum focuses on other subjects: it recreates the former Probstzella post office and a colonial goods shop, and provides background on the history of slate mining in the Probstzella area. Visitors can also follow the traces of the former inner-German border there. Those interested in the town’s history can therefore explore it from several angles—from the historic station building and the former establishments on display to mining and border history.

Specific features of the local history museum’s exhibits include around 120 metres of track, approximately 2,000 trees and numerous faithfully reproduced Probstzella houses. Guided tours of the exhibition are available on request; there are no fixed opening hours. If you are planning a guided visit, contact the museum in advance and check current availability. This makes it easier to fit a museum visit into your stay without assuming set visiting times.

The Green Belt and hiking

The landscape near Probstzella forms part of the Green Belt. During the decades of border closures, particularly valuable biotopes developed along the former border strip. Border hikes around Probstzella can be arranged on request with trained nature guides. Since a request is required, check current availability before planning a guided tour.

The Slate Trail includes a short circular route around Probstzella, which takes about two to four hours. The Slate Trail is also laid out as a long circular route of around 60 kilometres, connecting Probstzella with Lehesten, Ludwigsstadt and Gräfenthal. In the wider region, the Loquitz cycle path can be explored on foot or by bicycle.

The wider Saalfeld-Rudolstadt destination

In the wider Saalfeld-Rudolstadt destination, the district’s hiking landscape stretches from the Saale Valley to the Thuringian Forest. Its described features include quiet forests, expansive views and cultural and historical sights along the trails. The Hohenwarte Reservoir Trail is a quality hiking trail certified by the German Hiking Association and offers a nature experience on well-marked routes. For cyclists, the Saale Cycle Route adds to the regional overview: in the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district, it combines nature and cultural experiences with well-developed cycling infrastructure. These attractions are part of the wider Saalfeld-Rudolstadt destination and should be distinguished from the local sights and trails in Probstzella.

Discover more destinations: Remda-Teichel, Deesbach, Meura, Unterweißbach, Barigau, Bad Blankenburg, Katzhütte, Schwarzburg.

View the wider travel guide: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.