Luther Trail: Section 41 – From Craula to Bad Langensalza

From Craula the Luther Trail leads directly into the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Hainich National Park. Here, 44 metres up in the Treetop Trail, tree towers and tree houses give you a view of over 500 metres across the Thuringian Forest. Whilst traversing the Treetop Trail you can find out a lot about the valuable animals and plants in the middle of Germany’s primeval forest.

In the springtime, the Hainich National Park attracts visitors with its rich display of early flowers, and in May, hikers can look forward to thick carpets of wild garlic. In the wilderness of this untouched beechwood forest, wild cats, woodpeckers and bats make their homes. At the National Park Centre in Thiemsburg, you can find out more about the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site ‘Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and the Ancient Beech Forests of Germany’ that are part of the Hainich National Park. The ‘Wurzelhöhle’ (Root Caves) are the latest attraction here.

Another special thing you can experience on the Treetop Trail is yoga, sound journeys or meditation. Relax amongst the bird song and experience an amazing view over the treetops. It’s not to be missed.

The Luther Trail naturally leads via Harthaus and the Salzablick shelter to the spa and rose town of Bad Langensalza. Eleven parks and thematic gardens make Bad Langensalza an oasis on the edge of the Hainich National Park. In 2011, the town was awarded the title ‘The most blooming town in Europe’ in the Entente Florale Europe horticultural competition.

On 29 May 1516, Martin Luther visited Salza. Coming from Gotha, he paid a visit to the Augustinian Monastery on behalf of Dr Johann von Staupitz to check whether the monks were living according to the beliefs of the St Augustine. Today, only the external walls of the monastery cloister remain standing.

The old town of Bad Langasalza is dominated by the distinctive Market Church of St Bonifacii with its approx. 74-metre high tower. It was only at Whitsun in 1539 that the first Protestant sermon was given by a priest from Gotha. Duke Georg of Saxony initially supported the Reformation, but then turned ferociously against Luther. It was his successor Duke Heinrich who endorsed the teachings of Luther and ensured that the Reformation was quickly implemented.