The 3 Most Amazing Peaks around Callenberger Forst-West

On May 27, 1906, an observation tower was inaugurated on the summit in honor of Duchess Alexandrine (1820–1904), wife of Duke Ernst II of Coburg.[3][4] The Alexandrine Tower, designed by Max Böhme, fell into disrepair over the following decades due to inadequate maintenance and was demolished in March 1936 due to its dilapidated condition. On July 18, 1936, the Thüringerwald-Verein Coburg e.V. inaugurated the Alexandrine Hut on the same site, built partly using stones from the former tower. For over 80 years, the association has operated the hut on a voluntary basis and continuously modernizes it. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrinenh%C3%BCtte

The Alexandrinenhütte is a hut belonging to the Thüringerwald-Verein Coburg e. V. (Thuringian Forest Association Coburg). It is located on the Sennigshöhe (523 m above sea level), one of the highest points in the Coburg district, near the Mirsdorf district of the Meeder municipality in Upper Franconia (Bavaria). It serves as a popular hiking rest stop and, due to its elevation, is considered the highest beer garden in the Coburg region. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandrinenh%C3%BCtte

This beautifully designed seating area, created by wood sculptor Max Müller, is located on Burgstrasse, right next to the Victoria Rondell at the beginning of the footpath to the fortress, and is part of the children's play area. Beautifully designed and decorated with carvings, the space is not only an eye-catcher but also invites you to linger for a while.

In keeping with the artistically minded sovereign's philosophy, the theatrical element was not neglected in the design of this outdoor retreat. A small arbor was created on the Commandant's Building beneath a monumental scene depicting Saint George fighting his archenemy – the dragon. Since the 19th century, the Commandant's Building has been adorned with a monumental mural depicting Saint George with the dragon. It was commissioned by Duke George II, a likely coincidence in their names. Source: https://blog.thueringerschloesser.de/veranda-fuer-den-herzog/

The "Tiefkeller Veste Heldburg (Heidenbaukeller)" (DE 5730-305) FFH area was proposed as a FFH area by the Thuringian Ministry of the Environment in June 2004 and reported to the EU Commission via the Federal Ministry for the Environment. Its inclusion in the list of sites of Community importance in the Continental Biogeographical Region was confirmed by the EU Commission in November 2007 (Official Journal of the European Union - EC No. L 12/383 of November 13, 2007). Source: (Official Journal of the European Union - EC No. L 12/383 of November 13, 2007).

Heldburg Fortress was a high medieval hilltop castle that was rebuilt in the 16th century as a Renaissance-style palace. It rises 113 meters above the town of Heldburg in the Heldburg region, the southernmost tip of the Hildburghausen district in Thuringia, on a 405-meter-high volcanic cone belonging to the former Heldburger Gangschar volcanic region. Founded in the 12th or 13th century, it has been called the "Franconian Light" since the 14th century due to its prominent location, a counterpart to the "Franconian Crown," the nearby Coburg Fortress. Heldburg Fortress is the only Thuringian fortress listed as a sight on the Castle Road. The French-style building of the fortress houses the German Castle Museum, which opened in September 2016. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veste_Heldburg

Heldburg Fortress acquired its appearance mainly in the 16th and 19th centuries. However, its history goes back much further, probably to the 12th century. The Renaissance architect Nikolaus Gromann had a decisive influence on the design of the complex. He is to be credited with having transformed the medieval castle into a representative ensemble - one with outstanding art-historical significance. He did not simply tear down what had been left behind, but cleverly integrated it into the new building project. The French building, built from 1560 onwards, is now the architectural highlight of the fortress. Source: https://www.thueringerschloesser.de/objekt/veste-heldburg/

He directed, designed costumes and stage sets, wrote treatises on director's theatre and helped the Meiningen court orchestra to new fame. George II of Saxe-Meiningen became famous as the "Theater Duke" and went down in history. Influenced by the castle romanticism of the 19th century, he realized his romantic ideas of a fairytale castle at Veste Heldburg. However, a major fire in 1982 destroyed much of the precious interior. Today, the German Castle Museum invites you to visit. Source: https://www.thueringerschloesser.de/objekt/veste-heldburg/