Heckengereuth: Village History by Lake Ratscher

Heckengereuth combines an early written historical record with a location right by the water: the village was first mentioned in a document in 1354 and lies at an altitude of 409 metres, directly beside Lake Ratscher. This gives you two different perspectives to consider when planning your trip: the village’s history and the lake in its surroundings. You can shape your stay around whichever interests you most.

Lake Ratscher: Water Sports and a Bathing Beach

Near Heckengereuth, Lake Ratscher offers more than 100 hectares of water for water sports. There is a sailing school and a surfing school at the lake. If you plan to visit either school, check that it is currently operating before booking.

The lake is also home to a 500-metre-long bathing beach, described as the longest in the region. If its length matters to your travel decision, check the current information in advance. This makes the beach a distinct point to consider when planning your trip, without making water sports the sole focus of your stay.

The Village Festival in July

The village festival takes place in Heckengereuth in July. It is celebrated together with the Country Festival at the lake, described as Germany’s largest. So, alongside its history and lakeside location, the village also offers a clearly defined festival occasion. If you would like to plan your trip around the village festival, check the dates and details for your intended travel period.

Schleusingen: Castle, Museum and Town Traditions

In the wider destination of Schleusingen, Bertholdsburg Castle offers a distinctive architectural feature. The Renaissance building is flanked by four towers and has magnificent portals. Until 1583, the castle was the seat of the Counts of Henneberg; today, it houses the Natural History Museum. The building’s history and the museum come together in one place, offering a cultural focus different from the lakeside attractions around Heckengereuth.

With three large exhibitions, the Natural History Museum spans nearly 2,000 square metres across the east, north and west wings of the castle. Highlights include the skeletons of dinosaurs from southern Thuringia, which are five to six metres long. This gives you a tangible sense of the scale of one of the exhibition’s special features. As exhibitions can change, check the current visitor information before your trip.

Another perspective on Schleusingen can be found at the town-centre market square, lined with lime trees. A market fountain dating from 1710 adorns the square, topped by a statue of Countess Elisabeth of Henneberg. The fountain brings together a notable feature of the townscape and a precisely dated historical design.

A highlight of Schleusingen’s town festival is the annual Abitaufe, held on the penultimate weekend before the summer holidays. Graduates of the Hennebergisches Gymnasium “Georg Ernst” are pulled through town in brightly decorated handcarts and then ceremonially baptised, after Countess Elisabeth’s face on the market fountain has been veiled. The date depends on the summer holidays; if you would like to include this tradition in your travel plans, check the specific event date.

Which focus suits your trip?

These are different occasions and themes around which you can plan your trip.

For the wider travel overview: Schleusingen.