Anrode – Monastic history in the surrounding area
Accommodation in Anrode
When traveling to Anrode, you can also explore the former Cistercian Anrode Monastery nearby. It lies in the valley of the Luhne and the Gieße, in front of the forests of Hollau. This setting brings together the surrounding landscape and the monastery’s historic sites.
Anrode Monastery: Landscape and history
In the 13th century, the old church village at the site of Anrode Monastery was revived by the newly founded monastery. During the Peasants’ War in the 16th century, the monastery was attacked and plundered; a fire destroyed it down to its foundations. The convent was closed by decree in 1810. The different periods are clearly distinct: the revival of the church village was followed by its destruction during the Peasants’ War and, later, the closure of the convent.
The stables at Anrode Monastery are used for the monthly livestock and farmers’ market. The market is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month from March to October. If you would like to include it in your travel plans, check the specific date in advance. From September 2013, the former steward’s residence in the Lower Barn (monastery barn) served as the location of the “Schinkenkrug” excursion restaurant. This gives the monastery site two distinct uses: the recurring market and the historic use of the steward’s residence as a restaurant.
More experiences in the wider destination of Dingelstädt
In the wider destination of Dingelstädt, the Breikuchenfest is a recurring annual summer event. Since 2001, it has been celebrated every year as a town festival. The program includes traditional events organized by town associations, shows, musical events, and culinary offerings. The festival is therefore a seasonal event; if you plan to attend, summer is the relevant time of year.
Another way to experience Dingelstädt is the Kanonenbahn cycle path. The route, approximately 32 kilometers long, runs from Dingelstädt in the Eichsfeld district of Thuringia to Frieda in the Werra-Meißner district of Hesse. It passes through six tunnels and over four bridges and is considered easy to ride. The approximate length, tunnels, and bridges provide concrete points of reference when choosing this route.
St. Gertrudis Parish Church also brings together several historical periods. The first church on its grounds was mentioned in records as early as the 14th century; when it was built is unknown. The present parish church is the third known church on this site. It was inaugurated in 1855 as a three-aisled Gothic church. This makes it possible to distinguish the documented mention of the first church from the known building history of the present one.
Other architectural landmarks in Dingelstädt include the mill complex at Mühlhäuser Straße 11, with a distinguished Renaissance building and an elaborately decorated portal. The pilgrimage church “Maria im Busch” preserves a reference to the landscape in its name: it derives from a slope that was once covered with bushes. These examples highlight different features: the design of a Renaissance building in one case, and the traditional explanation of a church name in the other.
Discover more destinations: Vogtei, Weinbergen, Unstruttal, MĂĽhlhausen/ThĂĽringen, Bad Tennstedt, Heyerode, Menteroda, Flarchheim
See the broader travel overview: Unstrut-Hainich.
