Culture in Weißensee: Castle, Town Church and Chinese Garden

When planning a trip to Weißensee, three distinct themes take centre stage: Weißensee Castle, St. Peter and Paul Town Church, and the Chinese Garden “Garden of Eternal Happiness”. The castle and church reflect the town’s medieval architectural history, while the garden offers a different focus with its design based on seven elements. If you are looking for hotels in Weißensee, these highlights can help you tailor your stay to your own interests.

Weißensee Castle: Palas, Tower and Interiors

Weißensee Castle stands above the town. The palas and its associated five-storey palas tower were designed together and completed in the late 12th century. An exceptional amount of original High Medieval fabric has been preserved. A palas is a castle’s representative residential and hall building; the term identifies it as a distinct part of the castle alongside the tower.

One of the highlights of a tour of the castle is an original tree-trunk column with a capital decorated with grapevines. The exceptionally rare stone-stove air-heating system is among the features of the rooms open to visitors; access to the interiors is by guided tour only. The castle also houses a small exhibition. Check the latest exhibition details before your visit.

St. Peter and Paul Town Church

St. Peter and Paul Town Church has its own architectural history: after a town fire, the Romanesque nave was given a Gothic choir and Gothic sacristy by the Order of St John in 1331. The order used the church as a monastery church. The date 1331 refers to these additions, not to the construction of the entire church. The church also lies on a sightline with the castle and town hall. This visual connection adds a shared spatial perspective to the history of each individual building.

Chinese Garden “Garden of Eternal Happiness”

The design of the Chinese Garden “Garden of Eternal Happiness” brings together the seven elements of earth, heaven, stones, water, buildings, paths and plants. The garden opened in 2011 and is described as Germany’s largest Chinese garden. Its features also include a variety of pavilions and lush planting. Its 2011 opening sets it apart in time from the medieval construction phases of the castle and church; its seven elements offer a different perspective from the historic buildings.

More themes in the wider Sömmerda destination

The wider destination of Sömmerda adds distinct themes from the town’s history and industrial past. The Historical and Technical Museum in Sömmerda covers the town’s 200-year industrial development—from the founding of the Dreysesche Gewehrfabrik (Dreyse Rifle Factory), through Rheinmetall production sites, to the office machine factory in the former GDR. Sömmerda’s history also includes the listed Erfurt Gate and the town wall. According to chronicle accounts, the gate was built in 1395 as an entrance to the town within the existing fortifications; it was one of the first of five town gates in the town wall, which was expanded from 1589 onwards. Thanks to continuous restoration and renovation, the historic town wall is well preserved.

For your stay, you can choose what to focus on according to your interests: the castle and town church represent historic architectural periods and specific building forms, while the garden brings together its seven elements. If you plan to visit the castle interiors, bear in mind that access is by guided tour only; check the latest details about the small exhibition in advance.

Discover more destinations: Elxleben an der Gera, Rastenberg, Henschleben, Beichlingen, Gebesee, Bilzingsleben, Markvippach, Guthmannshausen

Go to the wider travel overview: Sömmerda.