Thuringia
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums
This page, part of our Germany Travel Guide, provides details of the art, archaeology and history sites, museums and related attractions to visit in the state of Thuringia. Readers wishing to visit these places will find visitor information, links to official websites as well as other helpful resources. Those who have an account (free of charge) can create their own travel lists and itineraries. To benefit fully from this website’s travel planning features, see the User’s Guide. The information on this page has been put together by various members of the Archaeology Travel team, based on both personal visits and research. The page was last checked and/or updated on 25 October 2023.
Create Your Thuringia Itinerary & Travel Lists
If you are planning a trip to Thuringia, and other regions in Germany, you can use our Itinerary Builder with the list of sites and museums below to create your own travel lists (such as places you have been to, places you would like to visit) and itineraries. These can be shared with your friends, privately and on social media. To make use of this feature, however, you will need to login or register as a new user. Registering to use these features is free of charge. Once registered and logged in, you can use the lists below to select sites and museums you would like to add to your itinerary and/or travel lists. Please Note: the lists below only include sites and museums in the German state of Thuringia, go to the German Travel Guide to find places to visit in the other states.
Archaeology & History Sites in Thuringia
Brandenburg Castle
Known locally as ‘Burgruine Brandenburg’ are the remains of two castles, albeit built at different times in the mid 12th century. They each had their own towers, curtain walls with gates, and are located on a spur either side of a natural saddle. They do not feature in the history of the area, or Germany. Their greatest claim to fame is being called “Sleeping Beauty’s Castle” during the division of Germany as they lay in the restricted zone. Since Reunification they have been restored, and the residential tower of the Ostburg now houses a museum. The castle can be visited at anytime and makes for a great hike in the area, but the museum has set opening times.
Hanstein Castle, Bornhagen
Considered one of the most beautiful ruined castles in central Germany, Hanstein Castle certainly makes for a picturesque silhouette among timber-framed buildings. First mention of the castle dates to 1070, noting its destruction. Given its strategic value, the castle was rebuilt and damaged several times in its history. As it was close to the border between East and West Germany, the CDR took control of the ruins and the towers used as a border watch tower. No visitors were allowed until after Reunification. A popular medieval festival takes place at the castle every year on the first weekend of August.
Mödlareuth Memorial & Museum
In the early 1950s the rural medieval village of Mödlareuth became known as ‘Little Berlin’. Like the city, the village was physically divided in 1952, at first by a wooden fence, then later by the same concrete barrier system that divided the two German states. Mödlareuth lies on the border between Thuringia (then in the Soviet Occupation Zone) and Bavaria (American Occupation Zone), hence the partition of the village into East and West Germany, where social and familial ties were forcibly broken. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, residents bulldozed most of the dividing wall, but a section was retained and is now a memorial and a museum recounts this period of the village’s history.
Museums & Art Galleries in Thuringia
Zeiteninsel: Marburg Archaeological Open-Air Museum
Zeiteninsel (Time Island) is an archaeological open-museum under construction in the Marburg area of Thuringia. In an area of 3.5 hectares reconstructions of buildings representing five periods of German history, from the Mesolithic through to the Early Middle Ages, are currently underway. Work is carried out by volunteer, and there is a programme of events and tours to see the work as the site develops. As such it is avenue for both experimental archaeology and education, particularly for children.
