A tower in honor of Grand Duchess Caroline of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach

The Kiliansroda Caroline Tower, one of the most popular excursion and hiking destinations in the Weimar region, is located on the Kötschberg (497 m above sea level), around 4 km north of the town of Blankenhain. It was built from Mechelroda limestone in 1909 in honor of Grand Duchess Caroline of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach (1884-1905), who died young. To climb the 26-metre-high tower, you have to conquer 106 steps. But then the hard-working hiker is treated to a magnificent view - up to 80 km on a clear day. 

A particularly beautiful hiking trail

The hiking trail from Blankenhain to the Caroline Tower is marked with yellow and white signs. From the market square, the approx. 4.5 km long path runs along fields and an orchard. The path then leads uphill through coniferous forest to the summit of the 497 m high Kötsches.

After climbing the tower (only possible on Sundays), you can see the villages of Kiliansroda, Mechelroda and Linda to the north. Further down in the Ilm valley, you can see the village of Mellingen, the classical city of Weimar at the foot of the Ettersberg and the Buchenwald memorial erected in 1950.

Good views - from the Kyffhäuser to the Schneekopf

On a clear day, you can see the Hainleite and Finne, with the Kyffhäuser and Barbarossa monument in between, as well as the Brocken (1142 m above sea level) in the Harz mountains. Luxurious eyes will recognize the towers of Eckartsburg Castle (Eckartsberga). To the east, the Fuchsturm, Jenzig and Lobdeburg castles near Jena and the Leuchtenburg castle in Kahla are visible in the mountains of the Saale valley. To the southwest are Schneekopf (978 m above sea level) and Großer Beerberg (982 m above sea level) near Oberhof - the picturesque mountains of the Thuringian Forest.

Large meadows and a nature playground invite you to play and romp around, and there are plenty of benches and seating areas to take a break. An adventure trail around the Caroline Tower provides information about the nature and history of the area.

Living traditions

The Kötschberggemeinde e. V., which looks after the excursion destination, invites visitors to the mountain every year at the time of the summer solstice to welcome the summer with a Kötschberg run and campfire. The Christmas run, which takes place every year on Boxing Day, is also part of the tradition.