Marienglashöhle cave, Show cave and former mine in Friedrichroda, Germany.
The Marienglashöhle cave network extends through natural caverns and mining tunnels, featuring numerous geological formations and underground passages within the Thuringian Forest.
Mining operations commenced in 1775 searching for copper, but after discovering gypsum deposits in 1778, the site transformed into a gypsum extraction facility until 1903.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited this mining site in 1782, documenting the extraction processes and geological features during his scientific explorations.
The cave maintains a temperature between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius throughout the year, requiring visitors to bring warm clothing for the 45-minute guided tours.
The crystal grotto spans seven by ten meters, displaying rare gypsum crystals that reach lengths of 90 centimeters within the illuminated chamber.
Location: Friedrichroda
Accessibility: Inaccessible en fauteuil roulant
Opening Hours: avril-octobre 10:00-17:00; novembre-mars 10:00-16:00
GPS coordinates: 50.86253,10.54155
Latest update: May 11, 2025 12:56
Thuringia contains a notable variety of historic sites, from medieval castles on wooded heights to baroque palaces in landscaped parks. The region preserves Romanesque monastic complexes such as Paulinzella, Renaissance residences including Wilhelmsburg in Schmalkalden, and significant collections like the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg. Beyond architectural landmarks, Thuringia offers geological features: the Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are considered the most colorful show mine in the world, the Barbarossa Cave near Rottleben is one of Europe's largest anhydrite caves, and the Morassina healing caves in Schmiedefeld have served therapeutic purposes since the 19th century. Cultural institutions range from technical museums such as the Ziegenrück hydroelectric power museum to the Apolda bell foundry museum and botanical installations like the Japanese garden in Bad Langensalza. Historic transportation systems including the Oberweissbach mountain railway, which has covered a vertical rise of 1,060 feet (323 meters) since 1923, complement the offerings. Natural monuments such as the Dragon Gorge near Eisenach, a narrow ravine with rock walls reaching 33 feet (10 meters) in height, and viewpoints like Leuchtenburg above the Saale valley combine natural and cultural experiences.
Schloss Tenneberg
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Schauenburg
2.1 km
Pipe organ of Stadtkirche Waltershausen
4.1 km
H+ Hotel & SPA Friedrichroda
1.5 km
Reinhardsbrunn-Friedrichroda railway station
1.5 km
Burg Torstein
3.3 km
Heimatmuseum Schloss Tenneberg
3.7 km
Datenberg
3.1 km
Burg Hermannstein
3 km
Protestant Church Cabarz
3.3 km
GutsMuths-Gedächtnishalle
3.7 km
St. Karl Borromäus
1.9 km
Museum Schnepfenthal
3.3 km
Rathaus
4.1 km
Zimmerberg
1.6 km
Reinhardsbrunn Castle
1.2 km
St. Blasius (Friedrichroda)
1.8 km
Burgberg mit Baldrichstein und Kräuterwiese
3.3 km
Christuskirche
1.5 km
Torstein
3.3 km
Protestant Church Ibenhain
3.8 km
Protestant Church Tabarz
2.7 km
St. Peter und Paul (Schnepfenthal)
3.4 km
Oberhardt
3.6 km
War memorial Friedrichroda
2.1 km
Protestant Church Reinhardsbrunn
1.2 km
Orgel St. Blasius
1.8 km
Stolperstein dedicated to Theodor Neubauer
2.4 kmReviews
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