Ausflugsziele rund um Mühlhausen

The Possen leisure and recreation park near Sondershausen is a true paradise for children and therefore the ideal destination for families. With an animal park, play and climbing areas and an indoor hall, it delights families, school classes and groups alike - whatever the weather!

Visitors can get up close to native and exotic animals in the extensive animal park. A real adventure awaits in the high ropes course, which provides excitement with several levels at different heights and a large rope slide. Brave visitors can go on the "Big Swing", a giant swing at lofty heights. For younger children, there is a climbing garden where they can climb, slide and do gymnastics at low heights without a safety system.

There is also plenty of space to run around on the large bouncy cushion, a giant slide, the bouncy castle and an adventure playground with numerous fun activities. A new addition and perfect for warm temperatures is the water playground with its pump and water dam stations. In bad weather, the large indoor play area with trampolines, climbing wall, ball pool and much more offers fun regardless of the weather.

A special highlight is the historic Possenturm tower from 1781, the oldest and highest half-timbered tower in Europe. After climbing 214 steps, visitors are rewarded with an impressive panoramic view of the Harz Mountains and the Hainleite at a height of over 42 meters. In addition to the many attractions, the Possen also offers various accommodation, event and catering options. No entrance fee is charged for the privately run park. However, entrance fees are charged for the respective attractions. Information according to the website.

"KOFUKU NO NIWA" – the Garden of Bliss captivates visitors with its Far Eastern atmosphere and symbolic design. The garden features various sections that reflect a love for the diverse landscapes of the Japanese islands and the changing seasons. Its character is defined by typical Japanese tree and plant species, two classic pavilions, and a pond where colorful koi swim majestically. The garden entices visitors in spring with lush cherry blossoms, in summer with an impressive azalea landscape, and in autumn with fiery red maple trees. With its bamboo grove and dry landscape, the Japanese Garden is a jewel among the ten gardens in Bad Langensalza.

At themed events, you can immerse yourself in the magic of the Japanese Garden and recharge your batteries.

Not far from Gotha's city center and surrounded by forests and hiking trails, the Gotha Zoo is home to over 600 animals. In addition to native species such as donkeys and goats, numerous exotic animals can also be marveled at. Steppe endos and Syrian brown bears, for example, clearly feel at home here. No wonder, because the zoo impresses with its natural green areas and the intact nature, in which the enclosures fit harmoniously. For the small break in between the café of the promotion association animal park Gotha invites to stay with food and drink. In addition, there is an adventure playground and a petting enclosure for the younger guests.

Limited visitor operations from November

During the construction phase, visitor operations must be adjusted. From November 1, 2025, the zoo will be open only on weekends from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Additionally, the park will be open during the Christmas holidays from December 22, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the same times.

The baroque Friedenstein Palace is the impressive testimony to the art of the newly founded Duchy of Saxony-Gotha. Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Gotha had it built. His deeply religious understanding is reflected not only in his epithet "the Pious", but also in the castle name itself. "Peace Ernehret, Unfriede Verzehret" can be read on the main portal. Today, the palace complex houses the palace museum with its art chamber, the Museum of Nature and the Historical Museum as well as the baroque Ekhof Theatre and the palace church.

It was Ernst I with the epithet "the Pious" who commissioned the construction of Friedenstein Palace. It was to replace the then already destroyed Grimmenstein Fortress. The foundation stone for the new palace was laid in the autumn of 1643, and barely three years later the duke and his family were able to move into the north wing. The entire complex was finally completed by 1656, although the initial decoration was to take another ten years. Important artists and renowned craftsmen left their mark in Gotha. They ensured that Friedenstein Palace was to be one of the most outstanding pieces of architecture of the 17th century. Hardly any other prince had a comparable residence at that time. The highly symbolic name of the palace is the subject of both the dedication inscription above the main portal and the relief cartouche above it, which shows the "Kiss of Peace". The surrounding saying reflects the understanding of the builder - " Peace Ernehret - Unfriede Verzehret".

Inside the chateau, rooms from the Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Historicism periods have been preserved. Today it houses the castle museum, with the richly stuccoed banqueting hall and the ducal apartments, as well as the Kunstkammer, the Museum of Nature and the Historical Museum. The unique art collections can be seen in the Ducal Museum opposite. In the west tower is the Ekhof Theatre - a baroque theatre bearing the name of Conrad Ekhof (1720-1778). He was considered the "father of German drama" and the director of one of the first theatres with permanent actors. Due to its original wooden stage technology, the theatre is considered one of the most completely preserved of the 17th century and is still in use today.

Wartburg Castle, one of the most important and best-known fortresses in Thuringia, towers majestically over the town of Eisenach and offers visitors a deep insight into German history and culture. The castle was founded around 1067 by Louis the Knight and served as one of the most important residences of the Landgraves of Thuringia. It is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also a symbol of historical events and personalities.

According to legend, Louis the Knight is said to have announced the founding of Wartburg Castle with the following words: "Wait! Mountain, you shall become a castle for me!"

One of the most famous episodes in the history of Wartburg Castle is its role in the life of Martin Luther. In 1521, he found refuge here and translated the New Testament into German, making a significant contribution to the spread of the Reformation. This time at Wartburg Castle marks an important turning point in Germany's religious and cultural history.

Architecturally, Wartburg Castle impresses with its well-preserved Romanesque and Gothic buildings, including the magnificent Palas and the chapel. The keep, the central fortification, offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and the town of Eisenach.

The castle is not only a place of history, but also a center of culture. Concerts, exhibitions and events take place here regularly, reflecting the rich cultural tradition of the region. One highlight is the annual Luther Festival, which attracts visitors from all over the world.

In addition to its historical and cultural significance, Wartburg Castle also offers numerous leisure activities. Hiking trails lead through the idyllic nature of the Thuringian Forest and are ideal for a detour to the imposing complex. Visitors are rewarded with fantastic views from the Wartburg hill - directly in front of the drawbridge. Guided tours of the castle provide a detailed insight into its history and architecture.

Today, Wartburg Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts thousands of tourists every year. It stands as a living monument to German history and culture and is a must-see for anyone interested in Germany's past and cultural roots.

The public grounds of the castle can be visited free of charge. The inside of the castle is only accessible during guided tours or events.

Hütscheroda, known as the Wildcat Village since 2012, is located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Hainich National Park - just a stone's throw from Wartburg Castle and the treetop trail.

Wildcat enclosure: The attraction is dedicated to the symbolic animal of the Hainich - the wildcat - as well as the lynx, our largest native feline predators. The shy animals can be observed up close in the show enclosure. Dogs are welcome on a lead in the wild cat village. Moderated show feedings take place daily, the times of which can be found on the website.

Wild cat barn: In the exhibition, you can learn many interesting things about the rare animals. The lynx reintroduction project and the "Wildcat Rescue Network", one of the largest nature conservation projects in Europe, are also presented here. Series of images and information films are presented in the multimedia forum. Innovative exhibition elements make the new exhibition an experience. Young visitors can play and draw in the children's corner.

The wild cat enclosure and the exhibition are suitable for baby carriages. The Wildcat Village also organizes children's birthday parties and offers individual guided tours.

The Wildcat Children's Forest - a forest adventure area southeast of Kammerforst - consists of large-scale play elements. These include various climbing mazes, a bird's nest swing, a crawling tunnel system and a three-story adventure sandbox, all of which blend impressively and harmoniously into the forest landscape. The masterfully and whimsically shaped structures are works of the company "Künstlerische Holzgestaltung Bergmann" from Zentendorf/Saxony. Each of these objects has a unique character, but the handwriting is always unmistakable. During the planning, development and construction of this playground, special emphasis was placed on the playful connection between nature, art and man. The Wildcat Children's Forest joins the range of activities in the Hainich National Park that have been developed since its founding in 1997. Especially children and adolescents should be enabled a playful contact with nature, which gradually promotes the comprehension of natural contexts.