Weißenfels offers different ways to explore history and leisure: castle and town history, music, a shoe museum and a memorial site sit alongside views of the Saale Valley and nature and outdoor activities. You can choose the focus of your stay based on the topics that interest you most.
Castle History and Museums
Neu-Augustusburg Castle was built between 1660 and 1694 on the foundations of the former Weißenfels Castle. Until 1746, it served as the residence of the ducal line of Saxe-Weissenfels. Its construction and function as a residence shed light on different periods: the castle’s origins and its later role for the dukes. Here, older foundations meet a clearly dated history as a ducal residence.
Exhibitions at the Weißenfels Museum focus on the Duchy of Saxe-Weissenfels and the history of the town. The museum is also home to the largest shoe museum in the former East German states. Its topics range from ducal and local history to a dedicated collection of shoes.
The Heinrich Schütz House is the composer’s only surviving original residence. Across three floors, it presents his life and work. St. Trinity Castle Church offers a different architectural accent: it is an early Baroque church and is considered one of the finest of its kind in Central Germany. The princely crypt contains ornately crafted tin and wooden sarcophagi belonging to the dukes of Saxe-Weissenfels.
Memorial Sites and Their Historical Themes
The Gustavus Adolphus Memorial commemorates the autopsy of the Swedish King Gustav II Adolf, which took place in 1632 in the former escort house. A large diorama depicts the Battle of Lützen with around 10,000 tin soldiers; the memorial also includes an exhibition on the Thirty Years’ War. The diorama and the exhibition offer different perspectives, taking visitors from a depiction of a battle to the wider historical context of the war.
Views of the Saale Valley and Nature Experiences
The Bismarck Tower in Klemmberg Park offers sweeping views across the Saale Valley. This adds a landscape perspective to the historical themes. At the Weißenfels home nature garden, nature and animals take center stage: the grounds cover 12,600 square metres and are home to around 200 animals. Features include landscaped enclosures, a bog garden, a rock garden and the “Path of the Senses” sensory nature trail.
Activities on the Toboggan Run, on the Water and by Bike
The Weißenfels all-weather toboggan run offers rides at speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. Mini golf and other activities round out the offering. This adds a sporty leisure option, with a clearly stated top speed, to the more cultural and historical attractions.
The boat rental in the centre of Weißenfels offers rowing boats, pedal boats, motorboats that do not require a licence, canoes, inflatable boats and kayaks. The selection includes different types of boats, including motorboats that can be operated without a licence.
For cyclists, the Weißenfels bike and boat rental is right on the Saale Cycle Route. Bikes, including e-bikes, are available there. Cycling is a distinct part of the offering and should not be conflated with the selection of boats at the central boat rental.
Discover More Destinations
Leißling, Burgwerben, Storkau, Naumburg/Saale, Karsdorf, Lützen, Meineweh, Mertendorf
For the higher-level travel overview: Burgenlandkreis.
