13 Activities
In the Footsteps of Johann Sebastian Bach
Starts from
Erfurt
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
13
Duration
11 hours
Length
73 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Erfurt
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
73 mi
Valentina Ilic
Travel Expert
- Learn more about J. S. Bach and his life.
- Visit the house where the Bach family lived.
- See the church where J. S. Bach got married.
This tour is different from others. It will open up a whole other world and teach you about the way the greatest composer used to live. It will bring new knowledge and will illuminate the road to musical notes and the way music was composed. It will tell you a story about Johann Sebastian Bach and show how he was just an ordinary man who followed his dreams until they made him famous and respectful in society back then. You will fall in love with all the streets, churches, and the beautiful life this composer left behind him.
This tour is different from others. It will open up a whole other world and teach you about the way the greatest composer used to live. It will bring new knowledge and will illuminate the road to musical notes and the way music was composed. It will tell you a story about Johann Sebastian Bach and show how he was just an ordinary man who followed his dreams until they made him famous and respectful in society back then. You will fall in love with all the streets, churches, and the beautiful life this composer left behind him.
Valentina Ilic
Travel Expert
- Learn more about J. S. Bach and his life.
- Visit the house where the Bach family lived.
- See the church where J. S. Bach got married.
Day Itinerary
13 Activities
Day 1
73 mi4 mi
Amazing Towns With Wonderful Stories
Get ready to learn more about Johann Sebastian Bach while driving around different cities by following the composer's roots.
10:0030 min
Bach-Stammhaus Museum
Museum
Open Details
In the 1730s, Bach wrote about his ancestors and discovered that his musical Bach family roots are in Wechmar. His great-great-grandfather Veit Bach who was a baker and miller died in 1619 in Wechmar. Therefore, this museum represents Bach's Ancestral Home.
The museum opens only 2 days a week, but a visit outside the opening hours is possible at any time after prior registration.
The museum opens only 2 days a week, but a visit outside the opening hours is possible at any time after prior registration.
26.5 mi
40 min
11:1510 min
Bach Monument
Outdoor Sculpture
Open Details
Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most influential composers in the history of Western music, was born on the 21st of March 1685, in Eisenach. To celebrate his legacy, a monument designed by Adolf von Donndorf and cast by Hermann Heinrich Howaldt was erected in the city.
0.1 mi
5 min
11:301 hr
Bach House
Museum
Open Details
One of Eisenach's first residences is the historic Bach House. It was initially made up of two structures, the eastern of which was constructed in 1456 and the western in 1458. Both were connected sometime about 1611.
You will see a hall of instruments, the Bach goblet, composing studio, Bach's theological library, his portraits, and a skull, as well as his autograph.
You will breathe the life he used to breathe and walk the rooms he used to walk through.
At every hour, there is a small Bach concert on original instruments from the Baroque era.
You will see a hall of instruments, the Bach goblet, composing studio, Bach's theological library, his portraits, and a skull, as well as his autograph.
You will breathe the life he used to breathe and walk the rooms he used to walk through.
At every hour, there is a small Bach concert on original instruments from the Baroque era.
1.9 mi
10 min
12:405 min
Wartburg Car Park
Parking
Open Details
Park here for a quick hike to explore the Medieval castle.
0.4 mi
15 min
13:0045 min
Wartburg Castle
Castle
Open Details
Something you shouldn't miss when in Eisenach is Wartburg Castle. It was built in the Middle Ages and is well known for Martin Luther, a German church reformer, who found sanctuary in Wartburg castle in 1521, after being excommunicated by the pope and made a criminal by the emperor for undermining Catholic dogma with his 95 Theses.
You may buy tickets online in advance.
After visiting the castle, get back to the parking lot and continue driving.
You may buy tickets online in advance.
After visiting the castle, get back to the parking lot and continue driving.
30.1 mi
50 min
14:4045 min
Casa Maria
Italian Restaurant
Open Details
It's time for lunch! Although you are in Germany, you will enjoy Italian delicacies such as pasta, pizza, fish, and burgers. The choice is yours! To top it off, their delightful beer garden provides a perfect spot to spend the warm summer days.
You can make a reservation in advance.
You can make a reservation in advance.
0.2 mi
5 min
15:3045 min
Ehrenstein Castle
Castle
Open Details
Ehrenstein Castle is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Renaissance castles in Central Germany.
Johann Sebastian Bach spent most of his childhood period in this town, and the fascinating industrial and handicraft history of the city of Ohrdruf are both explored in the museum's freshly created exhibits.
Johann Sebastian Bach spent most of his childhood period in this town, and the fascinating industrial and handicraft history of the city of Ohrdruf are both explored in the museum's freshly created exhibits.
0.1 mi
5 min
16:2010 min
St. Michael's Church
Church
Open Details
Johann Sebastian Bach's eldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach, was the organist at St. Michaelis Kirche in Ohrdruf, Thuringia from 1690 to 1721. After the passing of their parents in 1695, Johann Christoph took on the responsibility of caring for his younger brothers Johann Jacob and Johann Sebastian. It was in this church that the renowned musician was exposed to music at a young age and received his first organ lessons from his older brother.
14.6 mi
30 min
17:0015 min
Bach Church
Church
Open Details
Leave the car at the car park next to this beuatiful church and visit this small edifice where Bach held his first post as organist.
The church has been associated with the composer Johann Sebastian Bach since he played a harpsichord concerto there after working for Johann Ernst the Third, Duke of Saxe-Weimar for 7 months. The current church is a Baroque hall church that was built from 1676 to 1683 and simply named Neue Kirche (New Church).
From here, you may start a short hiking tour through the sights surrounding Arnstadt.
The church has been associated with the composer Johann Sebastian Bach since he played a harpsichord concerto there after working for Johann Ernst the Third, Duke of Saxe-Weimar for 7 months. The current church is a Baroque hall church that was built from 1676 to 1683 and simply named Neue Kirche (New Church).
From here, you may start a short hiking tour through the sights surrounding Arnstadt.
0.7 mi
20 min
17:4015 min
Alteburg Tower
Other Great Outdoors
Open Details
The Alteburg Tower is located on the Alteburg mountain near Arnstadt in Thuringia province, designed by Berlin architect Hugo Hartung. The tower is 28 meters tall. This extraordinary tower is a must-stop place.
If you are lucky enough, the restaurant in the tower may be open and if you want to get to the top of the tower, ask them for the key.
If you are lucky enough, the restaurant in the tower may be open and if you want to get to the top of the tower, ask them for the key.
1 mi
20 min
18:1515 min
Kreuzchen
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
Come explore the breathtaking beauty of Alteburg plateau! From its peak, enjoy a splendid view of Gera valley and be delighted by nature all year round.
And once your hike reaches this point, take some time out to breathe in beautiful nature by sitting down and having a rest.
And once your hike reaches this point, take some time out to breathe in beautiful nature by sitting down and having a rest.
0.7 mi
15 min
18:4515 min
Schneckchen
Scenic Lookout
Open Details
Another must-see tourist attraction is the observation tower. To take in a breathtaking 360-degree view of Arnstadt, Siegelbach and Dosdorf from above, access the tower.
After seeing the site, head back into town for lunch at a German restaurant.
After seeing the site, head back into town for lunch at a German restaurant.
1.1 mi
25 min
19:301 hr 30 min
Zum Burgkeller
German Restaurant
Open Details
After the long walk, sit down in this wonderful guest house where you will be served with the perfect flavoured dishes.
Here you can sample both traditional German dishes and local specialities from Thuringia, such as homemade jellies and Rostbrätel (a marinated and grilled cutlet of pork neck).
Here you can sample both traditional German dishes and local specialities from Thuringia, such as homemade jellies and Rostbrätel (a marinated and grilled cutlet of pork neck).