Feininger-Cycle Route

27,8 km from Weimar out into the countryside

A cycle path with a famous namesake

Lyonel Feininger (1871-1956) only began painting at the age of 36. Before that, the American artist was a successful and renowned caricaturist. In 1906, he travelled to Weimar for the first time and rented a studio there. For more than three decades, Feininger travelled on foot or by bicycle in the Weimar region. There he filled sketchbooks with countless churches, bridges and village centres, which later became the basis for many of his world-famous works of art.

“The villages, probably over a hundred, in the surrounding area are magnificent! The architecture (you know how I feel about that!) is just right for me, so inspiring, in part so immensely monumental! There are churches in godforsaken nests that are among the most mystical things I know of so-called cultural people!”

In the footsteps of Feininger

The 28 km cycle tour through Weimarer Land invites you to follow in Feininger’s footsteps. The well-signposted circular route has attractive glass displays at the individual stops, most of which show the Feininger painting of the respective village church in bright colours with a direct view of the original. This is a wonderful way to get to know your favourite motifs in the idyllic villages, because “Weimarer Land is Feininger Land”!

The cycle tour takes you from Weimar via:

  • Niedergrunstedt
  • Gelmeroda
  • Possendorf
  • Vollersroda
  • Mellingen

The illuminated church

The Feininger church in Gelmeroda, often illustrated by the artist, is illuminated in Feininger’s colours from Thursday to Sunday. In Mellingen there is an art installation dedicated to the painter, the Feininger Tower, built in 1999 and modelled on the artist’s painting style.

A special cycling culture route

Visitors who want to explore Feininger’s world of motifs even more intensively are recommended to take an individual tour far from the described cycling cultural route. Selected places whose buildings inspired him to draw are presented in the leaflet. Colourful desk displays in the villages provide additional information and explanations about Feininger’s paintings.

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