Thuringia (German: Thüringen) is a state situated in the Center of Germany. (Yes I know, I say the same about Hesse. So let’s say both are in the Center, all right? :-)
About 2.3 million people live here, which makes it the fifth smallest German state (by population). Erfurt is its capital.
Thuringia Map
Rural Districts (Counties) in Thuringia
It joins scenery, culture, chance for activity and leisure, and an immense deal of humid warmth. Visitors from all over the world consider it as a medieval state. And it is famous as an area for chill sports and winter fun.
Thuringia has a lengthy and thrilling history. One visit would not be sufficient for you to see all the tourist attractions and to learn about their history. But it does not only offer history.
The Catholic trust was removed as early as 1520; priests that remained loyal were thrown away and churches and monasteries were mainly shattered, especially throughout the Peasants’ War in the year 1525.
After its restoration, this state got well urbanized into a victorious and exhilarating state at the heart of a reunited Germany. It was rapidly managed to conquer the aftermath of despotism and a forbidden economy. (I remember that time very, very well…)
Nowadays, you can find numerous attractions, such as castles, museums, chronological construction and events, as well as the beauty of its woods and outside and inside activities. The funny thing is though that Thuringia somehow remains a well kept secret that many potential guests have not yet discovered it.
The most noticeable geographical characteristic is the Thuringian Forest, which is the mountain chain in the southwest. The Werra River, a tributary of the Weser River divides this mountain chain from the volcanic Rhön Mountains, which are partly in Thuringia, Bavaria and Hesse. In the northwest, a small part of the Harz Mountains are to be found. The eastern side of Thuringia is in general plain though. The Saale River flows throughout this plain area (from south to north).
Rather than driving high-speed using the Autobahn, use the country roads (Landstraßen) and drive from side to side through all the cities and townships. This gives you a better chance to see a great deal of the beauties this place offers!
Spend a holiday in Thuringia to learn about their culture, and enjoy its nature and participate in outdoor activities. For instance, in Eisenach, you can follow the path of Martin Luther and see the Wartburg, where he converted the New Testament from the Greek words into German. Or take pleasure in melody by Johann Sebastian Bach played on period instruments.
It’s a place that has rediscovered its original potential, a region offering dazzling cultural attractions and a high class of existence.
It is also a bit cheaper than the more heavily touristed metropolises of Germany, with a lot of hotels and restaurants that provide a solid middle-class comfort at reasonable prices.
For example, Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia, has quite a few dozens of hotels and guesthouses, ranging from simple boarding houses (Pensionen) to 4-star business hotels.
And the resort of Oberhof is ideal for inspiring, healthy activities in the clear winter air.
By the way, the Optics Museum in Jena has a demonstration of well-known Zeiss microscopes—one of the major set of spectacles to be found nowhere else.
