Piesau – Glassmaking Tradition, Nature and Events

Glassmaking Tradition and Annual Events

Glass was first melted in Piesau in 1622. The modern glassworks continues to produce flacons for the international cosmetics and spirits industries. The history of glassmaking therefore stretches far back, while also being connected to production that continues today.

Local customs include Walpurgis Night: every year, the Piesau mountain witches climb the Mittelberg and perform a witches’ dance around an open fire. The Piesau fair is also held every year, in August. If you would like to plan your trip around either event, check the specific dates and programme in advance; these may vary. A mysterious legend is also associated with the Teufelskanzel near Piesau. It adds a traditional tale to the local history, while glassmaking and the fair offer other glimpses into local life.

Trails and Countryside Around Piesau

A trail through the Arnsbach Valley passes through gorges and alongside mountain streams. Well-marked hiking trails also run in and around Piesau through the natural landscape of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The area offers conditions for hiking and running in both summer and winter. This gives you the option of planning time outdoors in any season, without treating the various trails and activities as if they were the same.

In the surrounding area, ski touring trails, cross-country ski trails and toboggan runs on the Rennsteig offer opportunities for outdoor activities in winter. These facilities are located on the Rennsteig and should not be understood as being within Piesau. This distinction matters when deciding whether they suit your stay. If you are considering Piesau as a base for winter activities, plan around the specific options mentioned on the Rennsteig.

Summer Activities and Visitor Facilities

In summer, the “Saale-Rennsteig” athletics club, based in Piesau, organises the “Saale-Rennsteig Marathon Run”. The route is known beyond the region for its elevation changes and scenic, romantic course. Check the race dates before including it in your travel plans.

Another activity on offer is a fairytale treasure hunt for “Green Gold” with the herb witches. If this activity is important to your travel plans, check in advance whether it is available during your preferred dates. The large playground, children’s recreation centre and youth club in Piesau are also open to visitors.

Culture and Trails in Neuhaus am Rennweg

Neuhaus am Rennweg also has its own cultural attractions and trails. The experiential museum immerses visitors in the lives of the “Wäldler” and invites them to listen, linger and take an active part. Another experiential museum in the town centre presents the glassmaking and history of the Rennsteig town. The Geißlerhaus is housed in the birthplace of Dr Heinrich Geißler (1814–1879) and also presents the history of glass and the town.

The Gothic wooden church in the town centre of Neuhaus am Rennweg was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few entirely wooden churches in Germany. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass; the colours are arranged according to the ripening of the grapes. For travellers interested in architectural history or glass, these are distinct points of interest in Neuhaus am Rennweg.

The Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail runs right through the town of Neuhaus am Rennweg. The “Bogenpfad am Rennsteig” starts and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, near the Rennsteighaus. This is near the hiking car park and Igelshieb railway stop, and is equipped as a service station with showers, toilets, a lounge and two outdoor bicycle lockers. As the facilities may change, check the current details before planning a visit.

Discover more destinations: Cursdorf, Saalfelder Höhe, Unterhain, Lichtenhain, Lichte, Meuselbach-Schwarzmühle, Gräfenthal, Reichmannsdorf.

For the main travel overview: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.