Medieval Festival Schloss Tenneberg

Schloss Tenneberg — a hilltop castle in the Thuringian Forest

Schloss Tenneberg sits enthroned on a spur above Waltershausen in the Gotha district, on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest. First mentioned in 1176, it was a ministerial residence of the Counts of Henneberg, later a ducal hunting lodge for the Saxe-Gotha dukes. Today, Tenneberg is a castle ensemble with a keep, palas, forecourt, and moat — the ideal backdrop for a medieval festival.

30 Stalls in Castle Mode

Around 30 stalls are spread across the castle grounds: Merchants offer medieval goods — Viking leather goods, hammered iron, natural remedies, drinking horns, furs, bows and arrows, horns, and drums. Craftsmen work live: blacksmiths at the forge, woodturners at the lathe, leatherworkers with cut leather, coppersmiths with hammer and anvil. Cooks celebrate medieval cuisine — stew from the cauldron, pork ribs from the spit, mead and apple wine, honey slices as a sweet treat.

Knights, Musicians, Fire-Eaters

Several times a day, knights in full plate armor fight with sword and shield — choreographies that recreate historical combat techniques. Musicians roam the festival grounds with bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies, shawms, and frame drums. Acrobats and fire-eaters perform on the main stage in the forecourt, while jugglers and jesters mingle with the crowd, engaging visitors personally. The audience is part of the show — many visitors come dressed in medieval attire.

Medieval Association Authentica Castrum Walinvels

The event is organized by the medieval association Authentica Castrum Walinvels, a group of historical reenactors focusing on the authentic High and Late Middle Ages (12th–15th centuries). The association emphasizes historical accuracy in costumes, tools, and food — no fantasy elements, no Viking trolls, but documented medieval life.

Connection to the Thuringian Forest

Waltershausen is located on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest, about 20 kilometers west of Gotha. Visitors to the festival can combine their trip with hikes on the Inselsberg, a visit to the Marienglashöhle cave, and excursions to Friedrichroda and Tabarz — the tourist heartland of the Thuringian Forest.