Wernshausen – Church, Werra rafting and cycling route

Wernshausen combines historic buildings with the legacy of Werra rafting, as well as cycling and paddling routes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Wernshausen, deciding whether to focus on local history or activities on the routes can help clarify your trip plans.

St. Luke’s Church and the townscape

St. Luke’s Church in Wernshausen has had its present appearance since 1723 and incorporates remains of an older church. It stands on the Heyer hill spur, which drops steeply to the east, south and west, about 29 metres above the village. A straight staircase of around 90 steps leads up to it. Visits to the church are possible only by prior arrangement, so don’t plan on stopping by spontaneously.

Other buildings also give the townscape a range of architectural accents. The rectory and bakehouse are lovingly reconstructed half-timbered houses. Pachtershof is considered the oldest documented residential house, while the town hall is designed in an ornate Art Nouveau style. Wernshausen thus brings together reconstructed half-timbered buildings, an old residential house and a town hall with a different style.

Remembering Werra rafting

Werra rafting was the most important source of income for the people of Wernshausen for more than three centuries, until the advent of the railway. It is therefore part of both the town’s history and the working lives of its residents. In their free time, members of the Rafting Association keep the memory of Werra rafting alive. Its historical significance and its remembrance today are two distinct aspects: rafting once shaped people’s livelihoods, while the association keeps the subject alive in its free time.

Rosatal Cycle Route and Werra paddling route

The 22-kilometre Rosatal Cycle Route connects the Werratal Cycle Route with the Feldatal Cycle Route. Its starting point is in Wernshausen; from there, the route follows a forest path to Helmers. For cycling plans, both the total distance and the stated starting point and continuation to Helmers are therefore relevant. Check the latest route information before setting out.

The Werra paddling route from Meiningen to Wernshausen offers a different way to travel. Its stage ends at a landing point by the fishing club’s clubhouse or at the landing point in front of the weir in Wernshausen. While the Rosatal Cycle Route focuses on connecting two cycling routes and continuing along a forest path, Wernshausen is the endpoint of this paddling route. Check the latest route and access conditions before setting off.

Culture in the wider Schmalkalden destination

In the wider Schmalkalden destination, other architectural and cultural highlights complement a visit to the town. Construction of the town church of St. George began in 1413/14, incorporating parts of an earlier Romanesque church. At the most important meeting of the Schmalkaldic League in 1537, the best-known theologians of their time preached there; Martin Luther presented his Schmalkaldic Articles in the church. Wilhelmsburg Castle rises above Schmalkalden’s old town and houses a permanent exhibition on the era of Martin Luther and the Schmalkaldic League. The museum lets visitors explore, among other things, the ceremonial halls, the castle church, historic room layouts, the lords’ kitchen and the terrace garden. A historic wooden-pipe organ is still playable; check opening hours and access before visiting.

Other topics in Schmalkalden range from crafts and industrial history to exhibitions. At Viba Nougat World, you can watch nougat being made through a glass-walled workshop. Workshops offer the chance to make your own pralines, chocolate or a classic nougat bar; check the latest booking details in advance. Schmalkalden bus and train station is just a few minutes’ walk from Viba Nougat World. The Historicum Tin Figure Museum displays more than 20,000 fully three-dimensional, hand-painted tin figures in scenes from world history across 400 m². At Neue Hütte, you can explore an early industrial blast furnace complex in its entirety; visitors can walk around the original furnace and climb to a height of more than 11 metres.

Discover more destinations: Viernau, Rotterode, Walldorf, Hümpfershausen, Schwarza, Obermaßfeld-Grimmenthal, Roßdorf, Breitungen/Werra.

Return to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.