World Heritage Day 2025: Thuringia invites you to explore history and nature!

World Heritage Day 2025: Thuringia invites you to explore history and nature!

Thuringia will celebrate World Heritage Day on June 1, 2025, which is dedicated to its unique Unesco World Heritage sites. There are a total of five World Heritage titles in this region, including the Hainich National Park, which is known for its ancient beech forests and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For this occasion, the various World Heritage sites have prepared special programs and tours to make the diversity and history of the region tangible.

Visitors to Hainich National Park can take part in a guided hike through the World Heritage area to experience the impressive nature up close. The Wartburg near Eisenach, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, is highlighted for tourism as a “World Heritage Region” along with the Hainich. As part of free tours, guests have the opportunity to visit the Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament.

Erfurt and Weimar in focus

In 2023, the city of Erfurt celebrated the awarding of the World Heritage title for evidence of Jewish-medieval heritage. This includes, among other things, a ritual bath, the so-called mikveh. On World Heritage Day, free tours of the old town are offered in Erfurt, which are well received by visitors. Since its designation as a World Heritage Site, the number of overnight stays in the city increased by around 87,500 from 2023 to 2024, which also benefits the catering industry. Tours to important sites such as the Old Synagogue, the Mikveh and the Stone House are well booked.

The city administration sees the World Heritage title with a positive eye, but is also aware of the responsibilities and obligations associated with it. Necessary renovation work in the Old Synagogue and the construction of a World Heritage information and education center are being planned.The gastronomic and tourist development is reflected not only in the number of visitors, but also in the increasing demand for cultural experiences.

Weimar, a city with two UNESCO World Heritage titles, will also have special offers on World Heritage Day. These include the homes of Goethe and Schiller as well as the Bauhaus model house. The Klassik Stiftung Weimar organizes special guided tours through the city palace and the Belvedere Palace Park. However, these tours require booking free tickets through the shop.

Mühlhausen and the historical context

Another historically important place in Thuringia is Mühlhausen, where important places of work for Thomas Müntzer are located. In the 16th century he was committed to freeing farmers from serfdom and denounced social injustices at Allstedt Castle. The city of Mühlhausen has a well-preserved old town, which is home to the Gothic St. Mary's Church, the second largest church in Thuringia. Thomas Müntzer's home is located southwest of St. Mary's Church.

In addition, the city wall of Mühlhausen is almost completely preserved and measures 2.7 km. In front of the Inner Women's Gate there is a monument in honor of Müntzer, who was beheaded there after the lost battle of Frankenhausen in 1525. The Peasants' War Museum in the Kornmarktkirche is a reminder of this eventful history. The Kornmarktkirche itself was built in the 13th century by the Franciscans, which was done against the resistance of the Teutonic Knights.

Another cultural highlight is the panorama museum on the Schlachtberg near Bad Frankenhausen/Kyffhäuser, which commemorates the Battle of Frankenhausen. Here visitors can marvel at the impressive 360° painting “Early Civil Revolution in Germany” by Werner Tübke, which covers an area of ​​1,722 m².

World Heritage Day in Thuringia therefore offers an excellent opportunity to discover the rich cultural and historical treasures of the region and to appreciate the importance of the Unesco World Heritage sites. The numerous events and guided tours make this event a highlight for locals and tourists alike.