Discover Blankenburg

Blankenburg offers several specific points of interest to consider when choosing a destination: the architectural history of St. Boniface Church, the small reservoir on the eastern edge of the town and the VIA ROMEA pilgrimage route. If you are looking for a hotel in Blankenburg, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay. The town also has listed buildings and is situated in a named valley on the edge of a nature reserve.

Churches and local historic buildings

The tower of St. Boniface Church is its oldest part, and its Early Gothic windows are dated to the 14th century. The nave adjoining the church was repaired in 1694, demolished after seven years and rebuilt in its present form in 1701. The chancel contains two lead-framed windows with Baroque stained glass. The church therefore brings together several distinct periods: the tower, dated to the 14th century; the Early Gothic windows; the nave’s building history; and the Baroque stained glass.

There are also historic buildings elsewhere in the town: the historic communal bakehouse in the town centre, the listed one-room village school dating from 1875, and the small farmers’ church, which is also a listed building. These examples differ in function and architectural form, extending the story of Blankenburg’s architecture beyond St. Boniface Church.

Landscape, reservoir and pilgrimage route

Blankenburg is set in scenic surroundings in a valley known as the “Schlotheim Grabenbruch,” on the edge of the “Großes und Kleines Hornholz” nature reserve. A small reservoir lies on the eastern edge of the town, right beside the country road. It was originally built as an irrigation basin and is now a fishing pond and a destination for walkers. Its former function and two present-day uses thus come together in one place. If you plan to visit the reservoir, check current access conditions beforehand.

The VIA ROMEA pilgrimage route, a historic trail, also passes directly through Blankenburg. Abbot Albert of Stade travelled along it to Rome in 1236. The route’s present-day course and its documented connection to a 13th-century figure give it a distinctive historical significance. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between the town’s architectural history, a walking destination on its outskirts and the theme of pilgrimage.

More to explore in the wider Unstrut-Hainich destination

The wider Unstrut-Hainich destination offers other themes distinct from Blankenburg’s local points of interest. Unstrut-Hainich District is part of the Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region. On the treetop trail, you can walk 24 metres above the Hainich canopy; from the treehouse, the view extends across Hainich National Park. Those who are not afraid of heights can climb the treetop trail’s tower to a platform 40 metres above the ground. These two heights refer to different parts of the trail: the walkway above the canopy and the tower platform.

The National Park Centre at Thiemsburg presents its exhibition through films, large-scale image panels, interactive exhibits and hands-on stations. It also has a fully accessible media guide; tablets and headphones are available to borrow. As operating arrangements can change, it is a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.

A different cultural and historical perspective can be found in Mühlhausen: 2.2 kilometres of the oldest, inner city wall remain, and the town has eleven medieval churches. Mühlhausen also has a preserved inner ring of city walls with numerous defensive towers. This contrasts the named individual buildings and church-building history of Blankenburg with an urban ensemble of medieval churches and fortifications. This distinction can help you choose Blankenburg as a destination based on the themes that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Oppershausen, Niederdorla, Schönstedt, Kutzleben, Flarchheim, Anrode, Vogtei, Kammerforst

Back to the wider travel overview: Unstrut-Hainich.