Pausa-Mühltroff: Earth Axis, Castle and Trails

Pausa-Mühltroff offers a range of themes to consider when planning a trip: water and outdoor activities, castle history, and places of remembrance. The outdoor swimming pool adds a seasonal option; the “Around the Earth Axis Town” hike comes in two lengths, while the West Vogtland Cycle Route passes through Mühltroff and reaches Pausa’s Center of the Earth. This gives you a chance to consider which experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

Swimming, hiking and cycling

Pausa outdoor swimming pool has a water slide, a large sunbathing lawn, and pools for swimmers, non-swimmers, diving, and children. Table tennis and volleyball facilities round out the amenities. There are several ways to get active and take a break by the water; seasonal opening times may vary.

The “Around the Earth Axis Town” circular route has a shorter option of approximately 8.5 kilometers and a longer one of about 16.5 kilometers. These approximate distances offer a concrete comparison when planning your outing. The route is mainly on paved forest and field paths, with some sections along roadsides. The route and details may change due to maintenance work or detours.

Another way to explore the area is the West Vogtland Cycle Route. It passes through Mühltroff, reaches Pausa’s Center of the Earth, and connects Pausa-Mühltroff to Saxony’s long-distance cycling network and the Thuringian cycling network. Steeper climbs offer views across the Vogtland’s hilly landscape. The route and signs may change.

Mühltroff Castle and its history

Mühltroff Castle is a lowland castle first mentioned in historical records in 1349. It was built on a greenstone rock. The medieval defensive and observation tower is considered its architectural centerpiece. The castle once served as a seat of lordship and administration—its history is reflected both in its architecture and in its former function.

The castle houses a local history room and a textile demonstration workshop. Access to individual rooms may vary. The Kospoth Hall and the Fireplace Room are used for exhibitions, concerts, and weddings; their use and program may change. The gallery hosts changing exhibitions every year. The castle thus brings together local history, demonstrations, and changing cultural offerings.

Museum, church and railway history

The Mühltroff GDR Museum preserves memories of 40 years of everyday life in the former GDR. More than 4,000 large and small exhibits are displayed across ten rooms covering approximately 300 square meters. These figures convey the scale of the collection; the museum offers a more recent historical focus alongside the castle’s history.

St. Michael’s Church in Pausa was rebuilt in 1825 after the town fire of 1822. A Steinmüller organ with two manuals and 20 stops was installed there in 1831. A historic station building has also been preserved: it stands in Mühltroff on the Schönberg–Schleiz West railway line. The church and station building add further architectural landmarks from different contexts to the stories of the museum and castle.

The Earth Axis and choosing a place to stay

A distinctive place to start exploring is Pausa’s Earth Axis: visitors can view and lubricate it in the basement of the town hall. Access arrangements may vary. Together with the hiking and cycling options, this offers a choice of different focuses, without requiring every activity to involve the same kind of day.

When looking for a place to stay, you can start by thinking about the mix you want: should the trip leave plenty of time for trails and cycling, or would you rather focus more on the castle, museum, and other cultural sites? The two approximate hiking distances help you choose the length you want; the outdoor swimming pool is an additional seasonal option. For specific plans, check the route, pool opening times, and access and program information for the places you want to visit.

Discover more destinations

Morgenröthe, Oberheinsdorf, Hammerbrücke, Muldenhammer, Reuth, Heinsdorfergrund, Möschwitz, Grünbach

To the main travel overview: Vogtland.