Renthendorf: In the Footsteps of the Brehms

Renthendorf is a long, narrow village in a valley, with rows of farmsteads shaping its character. Other features include the village church on the hill and the history of naturalists Christoph Ludwig and Alfred Edmund Brehm. A marked circular hiking trail adds an active perspective to the cultural focus. When planning your trip, Renthendorf offers a clear thematic focus, especially if you are interested in Brehm history and a walk.

Village Layout, Church and Churchyard

Renthendorf stretches for 4 km as a long, narrow village in a valley. The succession of farmsteads is as much a part of its distinctive character as the location of the village church on a hill. It was built in 1741. Alfred Brehm, his parents and other family members are buried in Renthendorf churchyard. The Brehm memorial site is also on a hill, not far from the church. The church, churchyard and memorial site offer different insights into local and family history.

The Brehms and “Brehm’s World”

Renthendorf was home to Christoph Ludwig Brehm (1787–1864), known as the “Bird Pastor,” and Alfred Edmund Brehm (1829–1884), known as the “Animal Father.” These nicknames alone highlight their interest in nature. The story of the two naturalists is an important cultural point of reference for the village.

The permanent exhibition “Brehm’s World,” newly set up in 2020, is housed in the renovated residence in Renthendorf. Through the biographies of father and son, it explores the relationship between animals and humans, both then and now. The exhibition thus connects family history with a question that extends beyond the Brehms’ lifetimes: how people perceive animals and relate to them. If you plan to make “Brehm’s World” a key part of your itinerary, check current visiting arrangements before your visit.

The Brehm Circular Hiking Trail

The Brehm Circular Hiking Trail is marked with a yellow B. It is considered easy, is 2.13 km long and takes about 45 minutes. Its length and approximate duration give you two concrete points of reference for planning your day: the distance as a measure of the route and the time as a guide to the planned walk. Alongside the historical themes, there is also a clearly defined hiking option to consider when planning your stay.

More to Explore in the Wider Saale-Holzland Destination

The wider Saale-Holzland destination offers a choice of other cultural and landscape themes. The Dornburg Palaces form an ensemble of three palaces from different architectural periods. The permanent exhibition at the Bürgel Ceramics Museum illustrates the history of Bürgel pottery from its beginnings in the mid-17th century to the present day. The castle complex in Camburg was first mentioned in an official document in 1166; today, only the more than 30-metre-high keep remains. These examples offer different highlights: palace architecture, craft traditions and castle history.

The landscape also offers its own points of reference for planning a trip: the Holzland is a hilly region with extensive woodland, and well-maintained hiking routes lead through the Zeitzgrund. The SaaleHorizontale and the Saale Cycle Route run north–south along the Saale through the Saale-Holzland district. The wider destination therefore offers a range of themes, from cultural history to hiking and cycling routes. When choosing where to stay, you can first consider whether Renthendorf’s Brehm history and circular hiking trail are your main focus or whether you would like to explore other regional themes.

Discover more destinations: Bürgel, Neuengönna, Tröbnitz, Großlöbichau, Hügelland/Täler, Reichenbach, Jenaprießnitz, Eisenberg.

View the wider travel overview: Saale-Holzland.