Magdala: Traces of a Moated Castle and a Renaissance Portal

Explore Magdala on a stroll among tangible architectural landmarks: these include the remains of a moated castle on a hill of ruins and the Renaissance portal at the town hall, with the year 1571 carved into it. These local sights give a stay a clear cultural focus.

Discover local history on a stroll

The moated castle is one of the destinations for short excursions in Magdala. A hill of ruins with the remains of a moated castle makes a worthwhile stop on a walk. A church is also among the destinations for short excursions; St. John’s Church is another notable stop on a stroll through Magdala.

At the town hall in the town centre, the Renaissance portal—the former entrance—bears the year 1571 carved into it. The former entrance and the remains of the moated castle provide contrasting architectural features: one focuses on a specific date, while the other reveals building remains on a hill of ruins. Local development also includes the Theatre and Beautification Association, founded in 1890, which established a site just below the Pfarrholz.

Hiking and themed trails in the Weimarer Land

The wider destination of Weimarer Land offers several additional trails. The Thüringer Drei Türme Weg is a circular hiking trail through the protected landscape of the Middle Ilm Valley in the southern Weimarer Land. It connects the Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, the Hainturm in the Belvederer Forst near Weimar, and the Carolinenturm near Blankenhain. The Goethe-Erlebnisweg offers a different focus: it follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein, connects Weimar and Großkochberg, and features twelve experience stops combining nature and culture.

Stage 25 of the Lutherweg in the Weimarer Land is also easy to place: it leads from Weimar to Apolda. Those interested in Nordic walking can find routes through varied landscapes at the VitalParcours Bad Berka. The four routes in the circuit were certified as quality trails by the German Nordic Walking Association in 2011. The circular trail, themed experience stops, and named stage differ mainly in the route concept each offers. Check the conditions for the specific route before planning.

Culture, museums, and regional cuisine

The museums in the Weimarer Land each have a different focus. The GlockenStadtMuseum Apolda explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. The permanent exhibition at the Coudray-Haus Bad Berka covers 200 years of development in Bad Berka’s spa and healthcare sector. At the Thüringer Freilichtmuseum Hohenfelden, visitors can see more than 40 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century.

Literature and art offer further points of interest: the Wielandgut Oßmannstedt includes a Wieland memorial and a multimedia museum offering insights into Wieland’s life, work, and influence; the renovated estate is open to visitors. Since 1995, the Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has hosted exhibitions by international and regional artists. Its events also include talks, auctions, book readings, and film screenings. For a specific visit, it is worth checking opening hours and dates in advance.

Regional food culture is another topic to explore. Seminars or training sessions for up to 80 people can be booked year-round at the Thüringer Kloßmuseum. Visitors can prepare Thuringian classics at the Kloß-Kochschule and Kartoffelpuffer-Schule; these activities require a booking and advance scheduling. Those who prefer to explore regional history through crafts and landscape can discover the salt-making tradition at the Saline- und Heimatmuseum Bad Sulza, which dates back to 1046.

Match your accommodation to your destinations

If you are planning to visit several places, choose accommodation based on the destinations you want to focus on during your stay, and check routes and visiting dates for the activities on offer.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kranichfeld, Ilmtal-Weinstraße, Nohra, Schwerstedt, Großheringen, Apolda, Niedergrunstedt, Kapellendorf.

For the wider travel overview: Weimarer Land.