Friemar: Reservoir, Spring and Local History

Discover Friemar through three distinctive features: the Immertal Reservoir, the Rieth Spring just below the dam, and the cultivated land west of the Nesse, where Friemar is said to have had its beginnings. Here, a specific shoreline regulation, a short watercourse and a deliberately placed historical marker come together. The result is more than a single view of the town: at the reservoir, protecting the reed belt shapes plans for a visit, while the spring and the replica of a prehistoric hearth bring the landscape and local history to life.

The reservoir, spring and shoreline regulations

The Rieth Spring rises just below the dam. It is a small, enclosed spring, and its trickle flows into the Nesse after just a few metres. Signposts draw visitors’ attention to the spring. This brings two different scales together at the reservoir: the reservoir’s expanse of water and the spring water’s short course to the river. At the same time, the shoreline regulations are crucial when visiting: the eastern and northern shores of the Immertal Reservoir in Friemar are designated as the “Schilfgürtel Stausee Friemar” (Friemar Reservoir Reed Belt) area natural monument and may not be entered. Bear this restriction in mind when planning your visit, and check the local regulations beforehand.

Local history west of the Nesse

Friemar is said to have had its beginnings on the fertile cultivated land west of the Nesse, where the soils consist of Keuper and black earth. A bench invites visitors to linger there; in front of it, a symbolic replica of a historic hearth dating from 650 BC is set into the ground. The cautious wording “is said to” matters to this account of local history: it leaves the interpretation of the site’s origins as just that—an interpretation. The replica also refers to a specific date and gives the place a different character from the reservoir shore. If you are travelling with children, the hearth can provide a starting point for a conversation about the past.

Gotha as a wider destination

The wider Gotha destination offers other experiences of landscapes and culture. Gotha district extends south to the Rennsteig and west to the 916.5-metre-high Großer Inselsberg. In Friedrichroda, the Marienglashöhle leads through a 110-metre-long tunnel; geological windows reveal rock strata millions of years old. Gypsum crystals up to 90 centimetres long sparkle in the Crystal Grotto. Friedenstein Palace is a landmark visible from afar and features on the coat of arms of Gotha district. The Ekhof Theatre in Gotha was founded by Duke Ernst II in 1775 as Germany’s first court theatre. The Bach family home in Wechmar displays models of the original places where members of the Bach family worked. On Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday, visitors are invited to a Bach-themed coffee table there; check the latest dates when planning your visit.

The regional examples range from nature and geology to theatre, palaces and connections to Bach. They offer a variety of themes to help you plan your trip. Compare the locations of specific places to stay with the places you actually want to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ohrdruf, Seebergen, Crawinkel, Gräfenhain, Tambach-Dietharz, Emsetal, Friedrichroda, Aspach.

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