Discover Grabfeld: Cultural History and Nature

Get to know Grabfeld through its local history, Schiller connections, Jewish cultural sites and natural attractions. The sights offer a range of experiences: in some places, historic buildings take centre stage; elsewhere, museums tell stories of the past or trails lead to natural and cultural sites. When planning your trip, you can focus on the topics that interest you most.

Local History and Historic Buildings

In Jüchsen, the Willfried Büttner Museum is housed in the Old School, a building dating from 1616. Numerous exhibits bring the history of the village to life. Visits are by appointment, so please arrange your visit in advance.

Exdorf also combines a long history with visible features in its townscape. The village was first documented in 951 under the name “Heigesdorf”. Preserved half-timbered houses help shape the village, alongside historic farm entrance portals dating from the late Middle Ages. The village church stands out for its imposing tower and distinctive curved dome. In Nordheim, the town hall and bakehouse showcase a different architectural feature: the building dates from the 18th century and has a double staircase.

Wolfmannshausen has a local history museum with a house figure; visits are by appointment. The Church of St. Aegidius there has exceptionally well-restored wall frescoes dating from the time it was built. Those interested in historic churches will find another distinctive building history in Queienfeld: in 1720, a church was built in the centre of the village beside an old defensive tower. Part of the defensive moat remains.

Schiller Sites and Open-Air Performances

The manor house of the von Wolzogen family contains a museum illustrating the period when Friedrich Schiller lived and worked there for seven months. The historic Schiller hiking trail runs from Meiningen to Bauerbach. Open-air performances are held in Bauerbach every year. The museum, hiking trail and performances offer different ways to explore Schiller’s stay and his connection to Bauerbach: through historical interpretation, a route between two places or an annual open-air event.

Jewish Heritage in Berkach

The Jewish heritage ensemble in Berkach comprises a synagogue, a bathhouse, a school and a cemetery. The synagogue and Jewish school on Mühlfelder Straße were built between 1852 and 1854. The Jewish ritual bath, or mikveh, dates from 1838 and was restored in 1990. The synagogue was restored for use as a synagogue in 1990/91 and solemnly reconsecrated on 3 November 1991; the then President of the Bundestag, Rita Süssmuth, attended the ceremony.

The cemetery is also part of this historical context: many inscriptions on the gravestones are still clearly legible. A circular trail with information panels, established in 2014, links the Jewish cultural sites. This allows you to see how the different parts of the ensemble relate to one another, rather than viewing them simply as separate buildings.

Landscape, Early Settlement and Trails

Widderstatt, near Jüchsen, is a prehistoric settlement site that people have visited since 8000 BC. From there, the signposted Celtic Adventure Trail leads towards Steinsburg near Römhild or to Dolmar. In Exdorf, the “Zur Platte” circular trail forms part of the Castles Hiking Trail. Before setting out, check the route information relevant to your visit.

Southwest of Jüchsen, near the road to Queienfeld, lie the Wirtswiese and the Graulache. Both were designated protected landscape components in 1996. The Seeben nature reserve in Behrungen offers a different kind of natural attraction, with a variety of vegetation structures and a diverse range of species. The historic trails, protected landscape components and nature reserve each have their own character and offer different points of reference for planning your trip.

Museum Visits in Behrungen

The Behrungen open-air museum on the division of Germany includes a border fence and many other objects. Visits are available on the third Sunday of every month and by appointment. Arrange your visit in advance so you can take the stated visiting hours into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Wernshausen, Kleinschmalkalden, Jüchsen, Breitungen/Werra, Struth-Helmershof, Rohr / Thuringia, Sülzfeld, Kurort Brotterode.

For the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.