Altenfeld: Glassmaking Traditions and Walking Routes on Mount Haube
Accommodation in Altenfeld
Altenfeld combines a long tradition of glassmaking with local history and hiking trails through extensive forests and valleys. Culture and outdoor activities take many forms here: at the community center, with its exhibition and Small Gallery; at the church, built in the rural Baroque style; and on routes to the summits of Mount Haube. This variety gives you several practical starting points for planning your trip.
Glass and Local History at the Community Center
Since a glassworks was established in 1646, glassmaking and glass processing have been enduring traditions in Altenfeld. The exhibition on glassmaking traditions and local history opened at the community center in July 2002, as part of the 2nd Thuringian Hiking Summer. You can visit the exhibition during official events hosted by the local history association or by prior arrangement. The Small Gallery, which features changing themed exhibitions, is also located in the community center. The Eger Mechanical Musical Instruments Museum is another of Altenfeld’s visitor attractions.
The Church in the Rural Baroque Style
Altenfeld’s church was built from 1738 to 1741 as a slate-clad half-timbered structure with an octagonal floor plan, in what is known as the rural Baroque style. It has been a listed monument since 1983.
Hiking from Haube to the Rennsteig
Altenfeld’s extensive forests and valleys, with their clear streams, invite you to take walks and hikes. The circular hiking trail on Mount Haube leads to both summits and is 5 to 10 km long, depending on the route you choose. The length of the route is therefore a practical factor in planning, while both summits remain the destination. The certified Pilzsteig health hiking trail starts at the market square or at Heubachsberg. The Rennsteig is the high-altitude hiking trail of the Thuringian Forest. The “Around Rotkopf” ski hike starts on Neustädter Straße at the edge of Altenfeld and leads to the Rennsteig.
Leisure and Craftsmanship
Altenfeld’s outdoor swimming pool has a waterslide and diving boards; next to it is a beach volleyball facility with three courts. Glassblowing demonstrations are available for groups by prior registration or from master glassblower Thomas Krannich at Masserberger Straße 14 in Altenfeld. If you are planning to attend a demonstration, arrange the date in advance.
GroĂźbreitenbach: Landscape and Church Architecture
Großbreitenbach is a state-recognized resort and lies around 50 kilometers south of Erfurt and about 15 kilometers southeast of Ilmenau. It extends across a plateau between the Langen Berg, the Schwarza Valley and the Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail. Großbreitenbach’s St. Trinity Church has 600 seats and is the largest half-timbered church in Thuringia. It was built from 1679 onward, to the plans of Andreas Rudolphi, the regional master builder of Saxe-Gotha, to replace the dilapidated St. John’s Church, and was consecrated in 1690. The older St. John’s Church had been built in 1570 and collapsed in 1771, with only its church tower remaining. St. Trinity Church is entirely clad in slate and features a striking hexagonal roof turret on the steep roof of its broad nave. The wooden baptismal font dates from 1677 and was transferred from the old St. John’s Church.
When looking for accommodation in Altenfeld, you can first decide whether local history, glassmaking traditions, hiking, or a combination of these will shape your stay.
Discover more destinations: Pennewitz, GroĂźbreitenbach, Ilmtal, Ichtershausen, Gehren, Neustadt Am Rennsteig, Ilmenau, Stadtilm
Go to the main travel overview: Ilm-Kreis.
