On a plateau between the Saale and the Vogtland lies the village of Plothen. The village is the main place of the area around the Plothen ponds. The Plothen pond area is one of the most ecologically valuable regions and is located in the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park. In the 11th and 12th centuries, monks created hundreds of "Himmelsteiche" ponds for fish breeding, which were fed solely by rainwater and had no natural inflow. Nowadays the area is part of a nature and landscape reserve. The listed pile house, which is located in the pond, is not only the landmark of Plothen, but has a great importance for the whole pond area. A museum of the pond and fishing industry has been established in the pile house. Nature lovers can relax from everyday stress in the Plothen pond area and do numerous activities such as hiking, fishing and cycling.