Arnstadt Attractions
Arnstadt, 20km/12.5mi south of Erfurt, known as the "gateway to the Thuringian Forest", is famed for its associations with Johann Sebastian Bach and its rich art collections.
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Arnstadt New Palace
One display in the Baroque Arnstadt New Palace is a famous doll collection, laid out in 84 rooms.
Drei Gleichen
In a landscape reserve extending on both sides of the motorway northwest of Arnstadt is the group of three castles known as the Drei Gleichen: the ruined Mühlburg (first mentioned in the records in 704), probably the oldest castle in Thuringia; Burg Gleichen, also ruined, the subject of many legends; and the Wachsenburg, now a hotel.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
Bach Church
Johann Sebastian Bach was organist in the Bach Church (originally known as the New Church) in Arnstadt. In front of the church is the Hopfenbrunnen (Hop Fountain; 1573).
Bach Memorial House and Municipal Museum
Near the Town Hall, in the Haus zum Palmenbaum (Palm-Tree House), is a collection of mementos of Bach's stay in Arnstadt and the Municipal Museum.
A modern monument to Bach (by Bernd Göbel, 1985) shows the composer as a young man.
A modern monument to Bach (by Bernd Göbel, 1985) shows the composer as a young man.
Church of Our Lady
The Liebfrauenkirche (1180-1330) in Arnstadt is the finest 13th C church in Thuringia after the cathedral in Naumburg. In a style transitional between Romanesque and Gothic, it contains numerous works of art, including a Late Gothic altar.
Neideck Tower
The Neideckturm in Arnstadt is all that remains of a once splendid Renaissance palace.
Papermill
The old paper-mill (16th C.; enlarged in 1633) in Arnstadt is a handsome half-timbered building.
Town Hall
The three-story Renaissance Town Hall (1581-83) in Arnstadt shows the influence of Dutch models. Nearby are galleries in Renaissance style, built in the late 16th C. as a cloth hall.
