Ruhla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruhla
|
||
|---|---|---|
Marketplace
|
||
|
||
|
Location in Wartburgkreis District
|
||
 Ruhla
Location in Germany
Ruhla
Location in Thuringia
|
||
| Country | Germany | |
| State | Thuringia | |
| District | Wartburgkreis | |
| Subdivisions | 3 Ortsteile | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 38.55 km2 (14.88 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 440 m (1,440 ft) | |
| Population
(2022-12-31)
|
||
| • Total | 5,273 | |
| • Density | 136.783/km2 (354.27/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| Postal codes |
99842
|
|
| Dialling codes | 036929 | |
| Vehicle registration | WAK, SLZ | |
| Website | www.ruhla.de | |
Ruhla is a charming town nestled in the beautiful Thuringia forest in Germany. It's part of the Wartburgkreis district and sits right next to the famous Rennsteig hiking trail. The town also includes the smaller areas of Thal and Kittelsthal.
Contents
A Glimpse into Ruhla's Past
Long ago, before Germany was one united country, it was made up of many smaller states. During the time of the German Empire (from 1871 to 1918), Ruhla was actually divided. One part of the town belonged to a state called the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Another part was governed by the Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. This shows how different regions were organized in the past!
Exploring Ruhla's Landmarks
St. Concordia Church: A Unique Building
The beautiful St. Concordia Church was built a long time ago, between 1660 and 1661. What makes it special is that it has remained almost exactly the same since it was first built!
This church is one of only a few "angle churches" in Germany. Imagine a building shaped like an "L" or a right angle. The church has two main sections, or "wings," that meet at a 90-degree angle. Where they join, you'll find the church spire and the altar. From this central spot, everyone in both wings can see the altar.
Because Ruhla was lucky enough to avoid major damage during the World Wars, St. Concordia Church was also preserved. It is the only angle church that still looks exactly as it did when it was first constructed. Since 2004, the church has hosted a cultural event series called "Kultur im Winkel," which means "Culture in the Angle."
Mini-a-thür: Thuringia in Miniature
Get ready for a tiny adventure at Mini-a-thür park! The name "Mini-a-thür" comes from "miniature" and "Thüringen," which is the German name for the region.
This amazing park features about 120 detailed models of famous sights from all over Thuringia. You can see miniature versions of places like the Creuzburg castle, the main train station in Erfurt Hauptbahnhof, the Planetarium Jena, and the historic Wartburg castle. It's like seeing the whole region in one fun place!
Notable People from Ruhla
Many interesting people have come from Ruhla, making their mark in different fields:
- Johann Andreas Stumpff (1769–1846) was a skilled craftsman who made pianos and harps.
- Friedrich Lux (1820–1895) was a talented organist and composer. He even wrote an opera called The Blacksmith of Ruhla.
- Alexander Ziegler (1822–1887) was a writer who loved to travel and also helped others as a philanthropist.
- Bruno Hassenstein (1839–1902) was a German cartographer, meaning he was an expert in making maps.
- Arno Schlothauer (1872–1942) was an author, poet, and researcher.
- Dieter Neuendorf (born 1940 in Ruhla) became a famous ski jumper.
- Marko Baacke (born 1980) is known as a nordic combiner, a sport that combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping.
- Ron Spanuth (born 1980) is a successful cross-country skier.
- Juliane Seyfarth (born 1990) is a talented ski jumper.
Fun Facts About Ruhla
Finch Keeping Tradition
In the 1800s, Ruhla was a very popular place for keeping finches, which are small songbirds. This hobby came from an old mining tradition. Miners would often carry a songbird into the mines. If the bird stopped singing or showed signs of distress, it was an early warning that dangerous gases were present, helping to keep the miners safe.
The Town Cowherd
Imagine this: in the 1960s, Ruhla had its very own "urban cowherd"! This person would gather cows from a special meeting spot called 'calf number' every summer. It was quite a sight and even became a fun attraction for tourists visiting the town.
The Unmovable Stone
There's a huge block of granite, called a Steinquader, from the Gerberstein quarry near Ruhla. For over a hundred years, this massive stone has been sitting at a road crossing near the Glasbachswiese on the Rennsteig. It was meant to be moved and used as a monument. However, it was so heavy that the bridges along the route couldn't support its weight. So, it stayed right where it was!
See also
In Spanish: Ruhla para niños
