Gotha

Thuringia is rich in world-famous sights: Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, the cultural heritage of Goethe and Schiller in Weimar, the popular Rennsteig trail in the Thuringian Forest – and last but not least, Friedenstein Castle in Gotha, the largest castle in Germany.

But between Rennsteig and Gotha lies another attraction that we will focus on here: the Leina Canal. For over 600 years, this artificial waterway has meandered through the Gotha region, once supplying the water-poor city of Gotha with vital water. Today, it is one of the most important medieval structures in Thuringia. Construction was completed in 1369, but the exact start date of the work is not documented.

This “ancient rascal” consists of the Small Leina Canal, the Flößgraben, and the Leina Canal itself. The Flößgraben was built between 1647 and 1653, later expanded in 1697–1698, and extended again in 1709–1710. The striking aqueduct that carries the canal over the railway line was also built around 1845.

Many buildings in and around Gotha were and still are dependent on the Leina Canal, including the aqueduct, the Sundhäuser Mill, the Westbad, the Leinamühlen, the park ponds, the Marstall, the Alte Münze, and the historic waterworks with the pumping station in the Lucas Cranach House.

For more information:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg4EzMljG0M