Discover Morgenröthe: Space Travel, Blast Furnace and Forest Trails

Morgenröthe appeals to travelers interested in space travel, the history of technology and forest trails. The German Space Travel Exhibition, the tradition of cast-iron bell making and several circular routes with different points of interest give the town its distinctive character. As you plan your trip, you might first consider whether the exhibition and local history or tours through forest areas are the biggest draw. If you are looking for accommodation, this mix can help you decide whether Morgenröthe suits your plans.

Space Travel and Accessibility

Spread across two levels, the German Space Travel Exhibition presents more than 1,000 exhibits on space travel. The outdoor grounds include a planet park and a children’s playground. The planet park adds another space-themed feature outdoors; the playground is another part of the grounds.

The exhibition is accessible at ground level; the upper exhibition level can be reached by elevator. The MIR basic module is an exception: due to its design, it is not wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is important to your travel plans, check these details before your visit.

Bell Casting and Blast Furnace

The history of technology in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz includes both cast-iron bell making and the blast furnace. More than 9,000 church bells were made there, and the historic blast furnace is open to visitors. As a restored structure, it is one of the few surviving examples of pig iron smelting in the Vogtland and Ore Mountains in the 17th and 18th centuries. Bell casting represents the local craft tradition; the blast furnace provides a physical link to the history of pig iron smelting. According to the entry in the Saxon register of monuments dated July 4, 2026, the FLM-Eisenhütte; Glockengießerei Morgenröthe has been preserved as an open-air museum of technological and regional historical significance.

Circular Routes with Different Points of Interest

The 11.5 km circular route starts at the German Space Travel Exhibition in Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz and leads through the forest to Vogtlandsee and Waldpark Grünheide. Along the way, there are places to swim, a large playground, a forestry nature trail and places to get refreshments. The route therefore combines a stated distance with destinations and facilities along the way.

The forest-area circular route passes through the “Drei Bächel” natural forest reserve, which contains a 230-year-old stand of spruce. For those who want to take in the forest itself as well as the route while hiking, this offers a specific point of interest.

The Rautenkranz circular hiking trail passes the Cottafelsen rock and, after crossing a bridge on the B 283, leads to the fallow deer enclosure. This gives you different features to choose from when selecting a route: the lake and forest park on the 11.5 km circuit, an old spruce stand on the forest-area circular route, or the rock and fallow deer enclosure on the Rautenkranz route. You can choose the focus of your outing based on the destinations mentioned.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Grünheide, Neumark, Zwoschwitz, Grünbach, Theuma, Reichenbach Im Vogtland, Netzschkau, Rodewisch

To the main travel overview: Vogtland.