34th Stadtfest "Ruppertusmarkt" Zella-Mehlis

Zella-Mehlis — Industrial City in the Thuringian Forest

Zella-Mehlis is located directly at the foot of the Ruppberg (864 meters) in the Thuringian Forest, at the transition between Schmalkalden and Suhl. The town is historically shaped by the arms, tool, and microscope industries (the Walther arms factory once produced here) and today has around 12,000 inhabitants in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. The Ruppertusmarkt — named after the local patron saint — is the annual major event that mobilizes the entire town.

A Town Festival with Classic Components

The three-day program (Friday to Sunday) follows the proven structure of German medium-sized town festivals: Opening on Friday evening with a beer tapping and first concerts, family day on Saturday with a craft market and children's activities, festival Sunday with a morning pint, Open Monument Day, and the festival winding down. Various stages, rides, and gastronomic stands from regional providers are spread around Karl-Liebknecht-Platz.

Stilt Walkers and Balloon Artists

A specific tradition of the Ruppertusmarkt is the stilt walkers, who parade through the festival mile and create balloon figures for children. They move between the stages and create a family atmosphere, especially on Saturday afternoon. There is also a children's flea market (organized by children for children), craft stalls with pottery, jewelry, and wood carvings from the Thuringian Forest, and a festival tent with dancing and live music in the evening.

Open Monument Day

Since the Ruppertusmarkt takes place every year on the second weekend in September, it usually coincides with the nationwide Open Monument Day. Various historical buildings in the town — the St. Blasii Church, Mehlis Castle, old industrial monuments — open their doors for free guided tours. A good opportunity to learn about the town's industrial history and its architecture.

Open-Air Weekend in the Thuringian Forest

For those who want to combine the festival weekend with hiking: the Ruppberg (with a viewpoint) can be reached from the town center in about an hour, and the Rennsteig — Germany's most famous hiking trail — runs directly over the mountain range. Zella-Mehlis is also home to the Drachenschlucht (a spectacular gorge near Eisenach, but 45 km away) and the "Im finstern Loch" mine (show mine).