Frankenheim/Rhön

Frankenheim/Rhön: Local History and Time Outdoors

Frankenheim/Rhön combines a distinctive local history with a range of experiences for your stay. The Neo-Gothic Protestant church was built in 1885–1886. Its construction period and architecture offer guests interested in church architecture a cultural point of interest. This historical focus is clearly distinct from the outdoor leisure activities.

Until 1989, Frankenheim was located directly on the inner German border. It also lay between the former listening posts on the Wasserkuppe and Ellenbogen, near the Eisenacher Haus. This border history roots part of the town’s character in a clearly defined historical period. The church and border together provide a cultural and historical focus; the trail, pond complex and cross-country skiing add separate leisure attractions.

The panoramic hiking trail in Frankenheim is considered a worthwhile detour and invites visitors to linger, including those who are not hiking. The pond complex is also a worthwhile detour that invites visitors to linger. Thanks to its high elevation, Frankenheim is considered a popular destination for cross-country skiers in winter. This places a winter sports attraction alongside two detours where visitors can linger. If you plan your stay around your preferred activity, you can take these different highlights into account when choosing your destination.

More perspectives in the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen

In the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen, the former inner German border strip forms part of the Green Belt, a national natural monument with special protection for its natural and historical heritage. Nature conservation and historical preservation thus come together in the region’s attractions.

In Schmalkalden, the Viba Nougat World offers a glimpse into the production of smooth, melt-in-the-mouth nougat in a glass-walled workshop. Hands-on confectionery courses include pouring chocolate, decorating nougat and creating pralines. Course times and booking conditions may change, so check them in advance for your preferred date. The Viba Nougat World is a few minutes’ walk from Schmalkalden bus and train station. For your journey, it is worth checking the latest connections.

The “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum is also located in Schmalkalden. The blast furnace complex dates from 1835; locally mined iron ore was smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. The exhibition covers the region’s nearly 1,300-year history of iron and steel goods production, including the well-known “Schmalkalder Artikel” (Schmalkalden products). A 45-minute guided tour focuses on the history and function of the blast furnace operation. This industrial attraction complements the local and border histories that shape Frankenheim.

Other landscape and activity destinations in the wider Schmalkalden-Meiningen area offer their own highlights. The Trusetal Waterfall plunges 60 metres over a granite formation in three cascades; visitors can also climb 228 steps. In the Breitunger Seen nature reserve, a 3.5-kilometre hiking trail has seating areas. The region thus offers both a striking waterfall and a measured trail with places to rest.

Discover more destinations

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Back to the destination overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.