Rafting on the Thuringian Saale has a centuries-old tradition. Since 2001, a permanent exhibition in the former weir house in Uhlstädt has guided visitors through the history of rafting. Here you can find out about the technique of raft building, rafting on the Saale, the way of life, customs and traditions of the raftsmen. Numerous authentic objects, photos and documents give you a vivid picture of commercial rafting in past centuries.

Long timber rafting on the Saale was mentioned in a document of the Counts of Orlamünde in the year 1258 mentioned for the first time. Commercial rafting went 1938 officially came to an end. The reasons for this were the construction of the dams on the upper Saale and cheaper transportation options by rail and truck.

It was mainly spruce wood from the Thuringian Forest that was rafted and tied together with „Wieden“ to form rafts. The „Wieden“ turning process is explained in the museum and can be experienced on the forecourt at the „Wiedbackofen“.

One part of the exhibition deals with the difficult and accident-prone work of the raftsmen, as they usually had to start rafting while the snow was still melting. Accidents and even deaths were frequent. For this reason, the Uhlstädt, Oberkrossen and Rückersdorf rafters' association was founded in 1874 by raftsmen from Uhlstädt and the neighboring villages. The purpose of the association was to provide financial support for members and their families in the event of accidents and deaths. Documents in the museum remind us of this.