Discover Föritztal

Föritztal is considered a transition zone where southern Thuringia and Upper Franconia blend seamlessly into one another. Local attractions focus on a range of interests, including historic architecture, stargazing and cycling. When looking for a hotel in Föritztal, it may help to first consider which of these aspects you want to shape your stay.

Historic traces from different eras

Neuhaus Castle was built in the 13th century as a relatively modest complex. The St. Niklas Chapel in Judenbach already stood before the end of the 14th century; in 1455 it was expanded into a church. Neuhaus Palace also has its own building history: its owner at the time, Hermann von Walther, had it remodelled in the Neo-Renaissance style between 1902 and 1904. These three details span the Middle Ages to the early 20th century and offer different historical points of interest for planning a trip.

Observatory, Geo Trail and outdoor swimming pool

At the Rotheul Observatory, visitors can use telescopes to observe, among other things, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies. Prior arrangements are required for tours and observation sessions. If you plan to visit the observatory, you should therefore arrange a time in advance.

With the exception of a few sections, the Steinkohle Geo Trail is also suitable for cyclists. This limitation is an important difference from the observatory: there, prior arrangements are required, while the Geo Trail is suitable for cycling only on certain sections. The Neuhaus-Schierschnitz outdoor swimming pool is located right by the B89 and is surrounded by trees. So, alongside historical and astronomical attractions, there are also places with a different character to choose from.

A local place to visit in Judenbach

The Judenbach Library offers more than 700 books, DVDs and computer games free of charge. This adds an option of a different kind to the historic sights and outdoor activities. As collections and services can change, it is advisable to check what is currently available before visiting.

More to explore in the wider destination of Sonneberg

The wider destination of Sonneberg offers its own cultural and landscape attractions. Sonneberg district lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate World National Geopark; the German Toy Route also runs along the district. The Museum of Glass Art in Lauscha showcases the history of glass Christmas ornaments from 1860 to the present day, including baubles and various other shapes. The craft of making mouth-blown Lauscha glass Christmas ornaments has been included in the nationwide Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The wider destination of Sonneberg also has specific options for hiking and winter sports. The Bleßberghöhle Geo Trail starts at the Geopark information centre at Schalkau station and runs for 17.6 kilometres to Seltendorf station. The Thüringen Alpin Skiarena Silbersattel, near the slate-mining town of Steinach, is in Sonneberg district and is Thuringia’s largest and most snow-reliable ski area. For seasonal activities, check the latest dates before your trip.

In the wider destination of Sonneberg, the summer toboggan run on Pappenheimer Berg near Ernstthal has a drag lift converted for summer use, which pulls the toboggans and their passengers 500 metres uphill to the start. In Steinach, the Ankerbräu brewery offers beer tastings and a beer bath. Check the latest opening hours and visitor information for these attractions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Goldisthal, Neuhaus Am Rennweg, Frankenblick, Schalkau, Spechtsbrunn, Sonneberg, Steinach.

To the overview of the wider destination: Sonneberg.