Geismar: Pilgrimage Routes, St. Ursula and the Eichsfeld
Accommodation in Geismar
Several routes pass through or lead to Geismar, and St. Ursula Church stands in the centre of the village. Pilgrimage routes to Hülfensberg, a stage of the Leine-Werra Nature Park Trail and a circular route starting in Geismar give your stay different points of focus. You can take an interest in pilgrimages and route options, or first turn your attention to the village church.
Pilgrimage routes and trails around Geismar
From Hülfensberg, Pilgrimage Route 1 runs via Döringsdorf to Geismar, continues via Rollsberg and Wilbich back to Geismar, then follows the Way of the Cross back to Hülfensberg. Pilgrimage Route 2 also passes through Döringsdorf, then takes the Kolonnenweg and leads via Lengenfeld/Stein and the former railway line to Geismar; the return route to Hülfensberg follows the Way of the Cross. The two routes share some waypoints, but differ in how they pass through the villages and along the former railway line.
The third stage of the Leine-Werra Nature Park Trail offers another perspective: it runs from the Großbartloff Waterfall via Wilbich, Geismar, Hülfensberg Monastery, the Eichsfeld Cross and Hildebrandshausen to Lengenfeld Draisine Station. The climb to Hülfensberg follows the processional path. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
The Kreuzstieg Hülfensberg leads from Geismar up to Hülfensberg along the processional path, which is lined with lime trees. As a circular route, it passes through the Herrntal valley on its way back to Geismar. This sets it apart from the pilgrimage routes: it starts in the village and has a named return route, while those routes begin and end at Hülfensberg.
Church, pilgrimage and concerts
St. Ursula stands in the centre of Geismar. The church was rebuilt in 1827 and a bell tower was added in 1907. These two dates give your visit a specific historical context; St. Ursula is also a landmark for anyone who would like to include the village centre in their explorations.
Hülfensberg, with its pilgrimage church, lies near Geismar. There, the faithful venerate a Romanesque cross dating from the 12th century. The Hülfenskreuz dates from the mid-12th century and is the destination for pilgrims on Hülfensberg. It depicts Christ as a gold-crowned king, gazing benevolently and victorious over death. Since German reunification, a pilgrimage has been held there every year on 3 October, German Unity Day.
Concerts are also part of the programme on Hülfensberg: admission is free, and donations are requested in a collection at the door. After concerts at the Hülfensberg Franciscan monastery, coffee and cake are served in the Pilgrim Hall. If you are planning a visit for this reason, check in advance whether the offering is available for the event in question.
The Eichsfeld as a wider travel destination
Beyond Geismar, the Eichsfeld offers a wider range of castles, historic towns, open fields, natural landmarks, and cycling and hiking trails. Historic half-timbered houses and architectural highlights can be found in Dingelstädt, Duderstadt, Heilbad Heiligenstadt and Leinefelde-Worbis, among other places. The Eichsfeld Museum, housed in Heilbad Heiligenstadt’s Baroque Jesuit college, explores the region’s history, culture, religion and folklore across three floors.
Air-dried sausage is part of the regional cuisine. It is considered an Eichsfeld speciality and is known beyond the region’s borders. The Eichsfeld adds a broader regional perspective to Geismar’s village church and walking routes.
If you are looking for accommodation, first decide whether Geismar, with its pilgrimage routes and church, is your main focus, or whether you would also like to explore the wider Eichsfeld, with its towns, museum and landscapes. This will help you tailor your search to the kind of trip you want.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Berlingerode, Wahlhausen, Büttstedt, Kleinbartloff, Kirchworbis, Asbach-Sickenberg, Teistungen, Niederorschel.
Back to the main travel guide: Eichsfeld.
