Muhlhausen is a charm-soaked medieval town encircled by centuries-old walls. The town was once a haven for German royalty and has retained much of its original charm. Stroll along cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses and admire dozens of beautifully preserved churches.
Things to do in Mühlhausen
Cobbled alleyways wind through the medieval town centre and give Muhlhausen a fairy-tale feel. You could easily spend hours strolling through the Altstadt and admiring the beautifully preserved half-timbered houses and stone churches. Schwanenteich lake is a short stroll from the Altstadt, where you can relax on the shoreline or rent a boat and enjoy a leisurely paddle.
The fortified town walls date to the 12th century and command fantastic views over the Altstadt. The Raven’s Tower observation platform offers a bird’s eye view of the medieval town centre studded with church steeples. Look for the Gothic towers of Divi-Blasii-Kirche, where iconic German composer Johann Sebastian Bach once played the organ.
Kornmarktkirche occupies a 13th-century church and charts the turbulent history of the Reformation and the German Peasants’ War. Exhibits introduce you to Thomas Müntzer, a local preacher who led the war and was later executed for his role in the reformation movement.
From artisan bakeries to fine-dining restaurants, you won’t go hungry in Muhlhausen. The town is a great place to try dishes from the Thuringia region, including rich “zwiebelsuppe” onion soup, hearty potato dumplings and bratwurst sausages smothered with salty caper sauce. For dessert, indulge in “prophetenkuchen” cake made with egg yolks, rum and icing sugar.
Getting around Mühlhausen
Muhlhausen is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot and the Muhlhausen Tram is a novel way to get around the town centre. Parking is available outside the medieval Altstadt. Leipzig is a two-hour drive away and 1.5 hours by train and Leipzig–Altenburg Airport is a 2.5-hour drive away.