Haus der Natur Goldisthal

About the museum

The Haus der Natur Goldisthal is housed in the former inn "Zum Fröhlichen Mann" in the Upper Schwarza Valley. After a thorough renovation, an interactive exhibition opened there for the first time in December 2013. The sponsor is the municipality of Goldisthal.

The exhibition spreads across several floors. On the first floor, visitors sit in a historic tavern room, listen to legends and stories from the region, and find finds from the history of gold mining in the Treasure Cabinet. The second floor is devoted to plants and animals of the Upper Schwarza Valley, from the aquarium with the Schwarza River to the world of insects. On the upper floors, a multimedia day trip leads to the Wurzelberg, where the Königstanne and the hunting lodge of the Counts of Schwarzburg once stood.

The outdoor area takes up the theme of hydropower, which has shaped the region from the mill to the pumped-storage power plant. A hands-on course shows, among other things, a pumped-storage power plant in miniature and a working lock. Gold can also be panned there when the outdoor area is open.

According to the museum, around 107,000 visitors came in the first ten years. The sponsor has since decided to close the house for financial reasons no later than the end of 2027; supporters are working to keep it open.

Highlights

• Multimedia night on the Wurzelberg with observation stand and animal sounds
• Aquarium of the Schwarza and hands-on stations on forest and water
• Treasure Cabinet on the history of gold mining
• Outdoor area with hydropower course and gold panning
• Historic tavern room with legends and local tales

Permanent exhibitions

• Wer hat Angst vorm dunklen Wald? – Multimedia day trip to the Wurzelberg with observation stand, animal sounds, listening stations and legends.
• Natur erleben – Hands-on stations on the flora and fauna of the Upper Schwarza Valley, from the aquarium to the world of insects.
• Region erleben – Historic tavern room, legends and the Treasure Cabinet on gold mining on the first floor.

Founded

2013

Operated by

Gemeinde Goldisthal

Admission & discounts

Stamp card for repeat visitors: at the third visit, reduced admission (adults) or free admission (concession holders). Holders of the Thüringer Wald Card, the Mitte-Rennsteig-Region guest card and the Three Cities guest card receive a discount (not on guided tours).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, the exhibition levels on the second to fourth floors are not barrier-free. Dogs must wait on the first floor or outside.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Hands-on stations on all floors and outdoors, a nature quiz, and a free educational booklet for children. Offers include guided tours, children's birthday parties, holiday activity days and school festivals.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A71 (exit Ilmenau-Ost) or the A73 (exit Eisfeld-Nord).

Amenities & dining

Please eat and drink in the historic tavern room or on the outdoor grounds; restaurants in the town are about a two-minute walk away.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit