Discover Siegmundsburg: springs, history and seasons

Siegmundsburg brings together spring sites, historical landmarks and seasonal leisure activities. The Werra spring on the edge of town and the streams at Dreistromstein represent different connections to water; the town’s history dates back to the glassworks founded in 1728. If you are planning a stay, it helps to consider the seasons: the Werra Festival takes place in July, while the activities on the hillside are tied to summer and winter.

Springs and waterways

The Werra spring on the outskirts of Siegmundsburg is one of the town’s best-known destinations and was first mentioned in documents in 1492. The Hintere Werraquelle (Upper Werra Spring) has its own timeline: it was officially inaugurated on 21 August 1910. Its fourth spring structure was built in 1992 to mark the 500th anniversary of its first documented mention. The dates therefore refer to different milestones—first mention, inauguration and a later spring structure—and are easy to distinguish when learning about the springs.

Dreistromstein points to a different connection with water. Streams rise in its immediate vicinity, and further downstream their water flows into the Elbe, Rhine and Weser. The Werra spring, a well-known local destination, and the spring-fed streams at Dreistromstein thus relate to different subjects: the history of a single spring site and the waterways into which the water eventually flows.

Glassworks, boundary stone and remembrance

Siegmundsburg’s history dates back to 1728. That year, master glassmaker Johann Michael Gundelach from Allzunah founded a glassworks on Hüfftenberg. The founding site and the glassmaker’s profession give the town’s early history a direct connection to glass production.

Another historical landmark is the Dreiherrenstein, erected in 1733 at the Saarzipfel near Siegmundsburg. The soldiers’ graves on the Rennsteig near Siegmundsburg commemorate soldiers who fell near the Rennsteig in the final days of the war in April 1945. The founding of the glassworks, the erected stone and the graves offer different perspectives on the town’s history.

Seasonal activities and events

The Werra Festival is held each year on the third weekend in July. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the date for that year’s event. There are different activities in summer and winter: in summer, the hillside in Siegmundsburg is used as a summer tubing run; it is currently out of operation. In winter, there is a ski lift in town. Check current operating hours before travelling if the lift is part of your plans.

A closer look at Neuhaus am Rennweg

In the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg, the Rennsteig high-altitude trail runs through the heart of the town. The Gothic wooden church in the town centre was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few churches in Germany built entirely of wood. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass, with colours arranged to reflect the ripening of the grapes. The adventure museum in Neuhaus am Rennweg presents the glassmaking and history of the Rennsteig town and gives visitors a glimpse into the lives of the “Wäldler” (people of the forest); it invites visitors to listen, linger and take an active part.

There are also specific route-planning landmarks in Neuhaus am Rennweg: the archery trail on the Rennsteig starts and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, close to the Rennsteighaus. The Rennsteig Cycle Path and the Schwarzatal Cycle Path lead to Neuhaus am Rennweg or pass through the town. These routes complement the local and historical perspective on Siegmundsburg with separate hiking and cycling options in the wider destination.

For the wider travel overview: Neuhaus am Rennweg.