Vacha: Bridge of Unity, Wendelstein Castle and Cycling Routes

Vacha offers a variety of ways to spend your stay: explore the town’s history around the town hall and Wendelstein Castle, follow cycling and pilgrimage routes, or visit the outdoor pool on the leafy edge of town.

Bridge and Historic Buildings

The 225-metre-long “Bridge of Unity” crosses the Werra on 14 arches, connecting Vacha in Thuringia with Philippsthal in Hesse. The town hall, “Die Widemark,” is a defining feature of the medieval market square and was built in 1613. The town also has many half-timbered buildings, the oldest dating back to the 15th century. On the southern edge of town, the remains of the Servite monastery preserve Gothic wall paintings. Historical landmarks thus range from the market square to the monastery ruins on the edge of town.

Wendelstein Castle and Town Museum

Since 1986, the town museum has been housed in the medieval halls of Wendelstein Castle. The museum includes one of Thuringia’s largest doll collections. Its exhibitions cover Vacha’s development and history, as well as the documentation of the Border Remembrance Trail, crafts, trades and industry, and rural domestic life. The topics thus range from the town and its economy to everyday life in the countryside.

The castle hall features exhibits on the history of the town’s Jewish community and the German Peasants’ War. Agricultural equipment made in Vacha can be viewed in the castle courtyard, which also has an open-air exhibition. The former keep offers panoramic views over Vacha and the Werra Valley. The castle thus combines exhibitions in its halls with displays in the courtyard and views over the town and valley.

Cycling, Pilgrimage and Hiking

Vacha is a junction for the Rhön Route from south to north, as well as the Ulster and Werrad cycle routes. The approximately 14-kilometre Berka–Vacha cycle route directly connects Vacha, Berka/Werra and Gerstungen. These offer two different points of reference when choosing a route: a junction for several cycle routes and a named connection between three towns.

The Ecumenical Pilgrims’ Way also leads to Vacha: it connects Görlitz in Saxony with Vacha in Thuringia and forms part of the Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela. The Vacha branch of the Rhön Club regularly organises guided hikes in the surrounding area and further afield, and maintains the regional trail network. On the lower plateau of the Oechsenberg, the club runs a hiking hut on a voluntary basis at 594 m above sea level. The Oechsenberg and neighbouring Dietrichsberg are the northernmost peaks of the Rhön; their history dates back to Celtic settlement.

Outdoor Pool and Traditional Events

Vacha’s outdoor pool is on the leafy edge of town, just a few minutes from the centre. It can be reached by car or by bicycle from the Werra Valley Cycle Route. Facilities include a 50-metre swimming pool, a one-metre diving board, two three-metre diving platforms and a five-metre diving platform. If you’re planning a visit to the pool, check the current opening hours in advance.

Vacha’s long-standing events include Carnival, the Kirmes fair, Vitusmarkt and Herzermarkt. If one of these festivals is a deciding factor for your travel dates, check the relevant event dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Urnshausen, Schleid, Moorgrund, Wiesenthal, Krayenberggemeinde, Behringen, Mihla, Bad Salzungen.

View the overarching travel guide: Wartburg.