Day of Thuringian Porcelain — Leuchtenburg

The Leuchtenburg — Queen of the Saale Valley

The Leuchtenburg above Seitenroda in the Saale-Holzland district is considered one of Thuringia's most impressive castles. Situated on a ridge, it overlooks the Saale valley near Kahla. Today, it houses the interactive exhibition 'Porcelain Worlds Leuchtenburg' — a modern museum that stages the centuries-old tradition of Thuringian porcelain. With the famous 'Bridge of Wishes', from which visitors throw porcelain cups into the valley, it is one of the most visited destinations in Central Germany.

A Tradition of Over 260 Years

Thuringia is the cradle of German porcelain production outside of Meißen. As early as 1760, the first manufactory was established in Sitzendorf, followed shortly by Volkstedt, Limbach, Wallendorf, and many others. Today, the Thuringian Porcelain Route runs as a tourist route through the state — from the Saale-Holzland district through the Saale-Orla district to Sonneberg and the Ilm Valley. Over 30 active manufactories, museums, and artist studios are located along this route. The Day of Thuringian Porcelain bundles this diversity into a joint festival once a year.

Jewelry for the Senses — Theme 2026

The motto 'Jewelry for the Senses' (2026) focuses on porcelain as a material beyond classic cups and vases: delicate porcelain jewelry, artistic painting, finely modeled reliefs, and characteristic figures — porcelain as a creative material between craftsmanship, design, and visual art. Participating locations will design their programs around this theme, often with readings, workshops, live demonstrations, special exhibitions, and factory tours. The Leuchtenburg and the nearby Kahla Porcelain Factory — one of the traditional factories in the Saale Valley — form the main anchor of the festival with their size and visibility.

More Than a Weekend — A Cultural Landscape

The central opening will already take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, in Königsee (Saalfeld-Rudolstadt district), at the Neubeck-Aslan family's gallery 'Kunst in der Fabrik'. Subsequently, on Saturday and Sunday (April 11/12, 2026), all participating locations will open their doors to visitors. The range extends from old industrial sites (Volkstedt, Sitzendorf), which are returning to their manufactory roots, to contemporary artists who use porcelain as a sculptural material. The Day of Thuringian Porcelain combines industrial culture, craftsmanship, and contemporary art — making it a festival with a clear profile in the Central German cultural landscape.