Kickelhahn, Mountain summit in Thuringian Forest, Germany
Kickelhahn is a mountain summit in the Thuringian Forest near Ilmenau, rising 861 meters above sea level. The peak features an observation tower from the 19th century and a historic small cabin.
The observation tower called Marienturm was built in 1854 with funds from Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and remains the oldest still-standing observation tower in the Thuringian Forest. The small cabin was rebuilt after a fire in 1870.
Goethe frequently came here between 1776 and 1831, using a small cabin to write and sketch surrounded by the forest. Visitors can still sense this poet's deep connection to the place today.
Several hiking trails lead to the summit, including the Goethewanderweg and paths marked with blue bars. The climb is moderate and takes roughly an hour from various starting points.
The cabin displays one of Goethe's poems translated into fifteen different languages, making it special for visitors from around the world. This turns the small building into a kind of international tribute to the writer.
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