Gabelbach Castle

The construction of the Gabelbach hunting lodge took place in 1783 under Duke Carl August of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. In the early 19th century, the estate became a retreat for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who pursued his scientific research here. Karl Ludwig von Knebel was also a regular guest. An idea emerged in 1852 during a visit by Grand Duchess Maria Pawlowna: the construction of an observation tower on the nearby Kickelhahn, which was realized three years later. Later, the house became a meeting point for the Gabelbach Community, an association of literati such as Joseph Victor von Scheffel and Theodor Fontane.