Naumburg Cathedral

Welcome to your route to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Naumburg Cathedral. Away from the hustle and bustle of Naumburg, you will first pass through the idyllic villages of Görschen, Mertendorf and Wethau, all of which have interesting histories. On your journey you can enjoy endless views of the unspoilt countryside in the Burgenlandkreis. Once you arrive at your destination, numerous sights await you in the old town of Naumburg.

The route takes you through the heart of the Burgenlandkreis, the smallest district in Saxony-Anhalt. It borders both Saxony and Thuringia. The southernmost point of Saxony-Anhalt is in the district of Bröckau, which belongs to the municipality of Schnaudertal. The Burgenlandkreis was created in a territorial reform in 1994 and further expanded in 2007 as the administrative district of Burgenland. Its name is derived from the numerous medieval castles in its area. The best-known and most beautiful of these include Wendelstein Fortress, Moritzburg Castle, Neuenburg Castle and Goseck Castle. The district is also home to two places whose names are often ridiculed by their inhabitants: Oberkaka and Unterkaka are located about 13 kilometres west of Zeitz. The respective village entrance signs are popular photo spots.

You are now reaching Görschen - a district in the municipality of Mertendorf. In the 17th century, Görschen belonged to the Albertine Electorate of Saxony. It was named after the Thuringian noble "von Görschen" family, which probably had its ancestral seat here until the 18th century. In 2010, a special discovery was made in the Görschen St. Crucis church, the tower of which you can see in front of you: a small vessel with relics was found in the altar, which had probably been locked up there during the consecration of the altar and church in 1310 by the Naumburg Bishop Ulrich von Colditz. The Görschen relic is classified by the monument preservation authorities as evidence of a special religious and ecclesiastical history, but also has significant value in terms of cultural history.

Mertendorf is now ahead of you. In addition to Görschen and Rathewitz, which you have just passed through, eleven other districts belong to this municipality, despite which it is very sparsely populated with around 1,600 inhabitants. Consequently, natural areas determine this idyllic landscape. One of the most beautiful sights is the Untermühle, in the district of Wetterscheidt, southwest of here, whose water wheel is clearly visible on the outskirts of town. Alongside wine growing and beer brewing, the mills in the area long formed one of the main sources of income for inhabitants of the region. The Halbberge mountains near Mertendorf, a 51-hectare nature reserve, tower immediately to your right. The origin of the Halbberge name can only be guessed at. However, with a height of 120 to 185 metres above sea level, they are not exactly the highest peaks in the region.

Parallel to your route, the Wethau meanders along on the left. The approximately 30-kilometre-long right tributary of the Saale, which is also called Wiethe in the region, rises in Thuringia, between Jena and Gera, and flows into the Saale in nearby Schönburg. The surrounding landscape of the Wethau is called the Wethautal. Several cycling and hiking routes lead through the idyllic valley, which are particularly romantic along the Wethau, with old mills and small villages.

"Everyone who passes by. Let him see how he stands. What you are is what we were, and what we are is what you will become." This motto adorns the cemetery wall at the village church of Wethau, which now presents itself to you at the foot of the vineyard. The church has belonged to the municipality of Wethau since 1806. Directly in front of it is a memorial in memory of those who died in the Wars of Unification. Wethau was once one of the 62 wine villages belonging to the "Pforte" Cistercian monastery. At the beginning of the 20th century, however, commercial viticulture in Wethau came to a standstill as a result of the phylloxera epidemic. In 2020, the local council finally voted to rebuild the community-owned vineyard. Winemaking is not only a tradition in Wethau. The surrounding area of Saale-Unstrut is the northernmost of Germany's 13 wine-growing regions.

You will reach Naumburg in just a few moments. This cathedral city is one of the most beautiful in central Germany and has a truly unique character. For one thing, Naumburg is home to Germany's smallest municipal theatre - a former puppet theatre that has developed into an ensemble theatre over the decades. On the other hand, you will certainly notice the "Wild Bitch", as the people of Naumburg smilingly call their tram. Even in regular service, the tram runs exclusively with historic passenger cars, which embody all the vehicle types produced in the GDR and allow you to experience their special charm in the truest sense of the word. In addition, the city church of St. Wenzel, which you will also pass later on the route, houses the world's largest Bach organ, which offers musical highlights all year round.

You are now driving past the old town of Naumburg, which is on your right. You will soon reach Naumburg Cathedral, the destination of your route. In some places, you can already see the towers of this cultural monument, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018, rising into the sky. Constructed from 1028 onwards, Naumburg Cathedral on the "Romanesque Road" is one of the most outstanding testimonies to medieval art and architecture from the time of the European High Middle Ages. Particularly impressive are the two preserved High Medieval rood screens, barriers that separate the choirs from the nave. Two of them in one church is unique in the world. The west choir of the cathedral is an extraordinary work of art, due to the integration of architecture, sculptures and stained glass.

In a few metres you will reach the car park at the cathedral, on the right-hand side. From here you can explore the cathedral and the old town on foot. We recommend a walk past the city church of St. Wenceslas, with its Bach organ, to the market square. There, numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to linger.
You have now reached the destination of this route. It is great that I was able to accompany you here. I hope you enjoyed the tour and wish you a pleasant stay and safe onward journey.