Discover Stregda: Pottery, the Post Stone and a Circular Route

Stregda combines historical themes with a specific cycling route: pottery developed here through to Linear Pottery culture, and industrial activity reached its peak in brick production. Another local landmark is the Post Stone, which leans sharply to the west. The 70.0 km “Discover the Werratal” circular route also passes through Stregda. When planning your trip, you can choose between local history, a stone memorial, and cycling.

Crafts and industrial history

The development of pottery through to Linear Pottery culture is a distinct part of Stregda’s local history. Industrial activity also played a role, reaching its peak in brick production. These two themes offer different perspectives: the development of pottery on the one hand, and brick production as the main focus of industry on the other. Together, they provide insight into different aspects of Stregda’s history.

The Post Stone in Stregda

The Post Stone is obelisk-shaped and leans sharply to the west. It is said to commemorate a post rider who lost his life here. For those interested in local history, this stone memorial adds a specific local story to the themes of pottery and brick production.

Cycling through Stregda

The “Discover the Werratal” circular route is 70.0 km long and passes through Stregda. Its length gives you a specific point of reference if you would like to include cycling in your trip plans. Check the current route conditions with the operator before setting off. This lets you include the route in your plans and consider the local historical themes as a different focus for your stay.

Hikes in the wider destination of Eisenach

In the wider destination of Eisenach, you can compare two hikes to Hohe Sonne by their route profiles. Both start at Eisenach market square and take about three hours. The route through the Drachenschlucht is 6.5 km long and has 320 metres of elevation gain; the route via Drachenstein covers 7.5 km and has 250 metres of elevation gain. The shorter route therefore has more elevation gain, while the longer route has less elevation gain despite having about the same stated duration. The Drachenschlucht itself is a walkable rock gorge on the Steinbach, formed 250 million years ago.

The Rennsteig hiking trail starts in Eisenach-Hörschel. This gives the wider destination of Eisenach another named hiking reference point, in addition to the two routes to Hohe Sonne. The hikes differ in length and elevation gain; the Rennsteig is described here by its starting point in Hörschel.

Culture and history in Eisenach

The Wartburg, which is almost a thousand years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its richly decorated buildings and rooms illustrate medieval and late Romanesque architectural and everyday culture. The castle is also associated with Martin Luther’s Bible translation and with the life and work of Saint Elisabeth. The Luther House in Eisenach presents Martin Luther as a student, reformer and Bible translator. The exhibition includes unique medieval art treasures, works by Cranach and Johann Sebastian Bach’s baptismal register entry.

Another historic stop in the wider destination of Eisenach is the Church of St. George. It is Johann Sebastian Bach’s baptismal church and was founded by Ludwig III at the end of the 12th century. The 1817 Wartburg Festival of the student fraternities also set out from the church. Eisenach thus brings together church history, connections to Bach and the memory of a historic event.

For a look at the history of technology, the “automobile welt eisenach” displays historic vehicles, body design studies, prototypes and construction plans in a historic factory hall. The exhibition includes a historic Dixi repair workshop from 1912, covering about 60 m². It comprises twelve original machine tools driven by transmission belts, as well as a carpentry shop and a wheelwright’s workshop.

Events in Eisenach

Recurring events can also help with planning when to travel. Eisenach’s spring festival, Sommergewinn, takes place every year three weeks before Easter, so its exact calendar date varies with the date of Easter. The Telemann Days take place in Eisenach every two years, and the specific programme dates vary. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these events, check the relevant date or programme in advance.

For the wider travel overview: Eisenach.