Föritztal: History, Observatory and GeoTrail

Föritztal is considered a transition area where southern Thuringia and Upper Franconia blend seamlessly into one another. Local themes range from medieval architectural history and religious heritage to telescope observations, a GeoTrail and an outdoor swimming pool. This means your trip can offer more than just one type of excursion: you can follow traces of the past, plan an observation session in Rotheul by prior arrangement, or take the exceptions into account on the GeoTrail when cycling. For a trip with people who have different interests, you can treat these themes as separate focal points rather than assume that everyone wants the same itinerary.

History with traces from different eras

Neuhaus Castle was built in the 13th century as a relatively modest structure. The Chapel of St. Niklas in Judenbach was already standing before the end of the 14th century; in 1455, it was expanded into a church. The castle complex and the Judenbach chapel offer different ways to explore local history: one dates back to the early Middle Ages, while the other was expanded as a church in 1455. If you are interested in architectural and local history, these examples let you trace developments at specific sites.

Neuhaus Palace was redesigned in the Neo-Renaissance style by its owner at the time, Hermann von Walther, between 1902 and 1904. The term refers to a revival of Renaissance forms and describes the style of the redesign. Alongside the castle’s medieval origins, this later phase of renovation also comes into focus.

Observatory and GeoTrail: two different kinds of planning

At the Rotheul Observatory, visitors can use telescopes to observe, among other things, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies. The range extends from planets in our solar system to faraway galaxies. Observation sessions and guidance must be arranged in advance, so do not plan your visit as a spontaneous stopover.

The Steinkohle GeoTrail runs through the Neuhaus-Schierschnitz area and is suitable for cyclists except for a few sections. If you plan to explore by bike, take this limitation into account. At the observatory, it is the timing that needs to be planned; on the GeoTrail, it is the route, bearing in mind the few sections that are excluded.

An outdoor pool and library add further variety

Neuhaus-Schierschnitz outdoor pool is located right on the B89 and is surrounded by trees. If you are planning a day of swimming, check the current opening hours in advance.

More than 700 books, DVDs and computer games are available free of charge at the Judenbach Library. If you want to use a particular item, it is best to check the library’s current information before your visit, as its collection and services may change.

In the wider Sonneberg destination

The wider Sonneberg destination includes Sonneberg District, which lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Country National Geopark; it also lies along the German Toy Road. In Lauscha, the Museum of Glass Art Lauscha showcases the history of glass Christmas tree decorations, from balls to a variety of shapes, from 1860 to the present day. The production of mouth-blown Lauscha glass Christmas decorations has been included in Germany’s nationwide Intangible Cultural Heritage register. This glass art offers a distinctive cultural perspective on the wider Sonneberg destination. When choosing accommodation, you can first decide on the focus of your stay: local history and astronomy in Föritztal, or additional themes in the wider Sonneberg destination.

Discover more destinations: Spechtsbrunn, Frankenblick, Goldisthal, Scheibe-Alsbach, Lauscha, Neuhaus Am Rennweg, Effelder-Rauenstein, Steinheid

Back to the wider travel guide: Sonneberg.