Deep in the Thuringian Basin lies a village with a story etched in time: Sohnstedt. Have you ever wondered about the tales a seemingly quiet village could tell? Sohnstedt sits southeast of Erfurt. It resides in the Weimarer Land district. Since December 31, 2019, it is a part of the newly formed Grammetal municipality. Before that, Sohnstedt was a part of the Mönchenholzhausen municipality which no longer exists.
Sohnstedt’s population has nearly doubled since 1989. Back then, there were 36 buildings. By 2013, 24 more residential buildings had been added.
The village sits on a flat plateau about 350 meters above sea level like Obernissa. Its soils rest on limestone and Keuper. The Vieselbach stream begins in the Sohnstedt district. South of the village, a landscape unfolds. It features gentle hills with fields, meadows, and forests. A large forest area is also part of it. The A4 motorway passes through this forest.
Evidence suggests settlement around Sohnstedt began around 4000 BC. Representatives of the Linear Pottery culture were the first settlers. Sohnstedt was first mentioned in records between 842 and 856. In 1343, it became part of the County of Vieselbach. This area belonged to the city of Erfurt. After the administrative reform of 1706, it was part of the Tonndorf Office. In 1802, Sohnstedt came under Prussian rule with the Erfurt area. From 1807 to 1813, it was part of the French Principality of Erfurt. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 assigned Sohnstedt and the Tonndorf Office to the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. From 1850, it belonged to Weimar’s administrative district.
One of Sohnstedt’s attractions is its church. The church tower boasts a slated baroque dome. The nave features a half-hipped roof and dormers. The year 1717 is marked on the main portal. This indicates when it was built. The facade includes a covered gallery entrance. It leads to a double gallery that wraps around the interior. The gallery’s panels are painted. The lower zone shows scenes from the life and suffering of Christ. The west side also features Old Testament images. In the upper zone, you can see the twelve apostles. They are surrounded by music-playing angels. The tower holds a bell. It was made in 1873 by Gebrüder Ulrich in Apolda. Its serial number is op 595.
Sohnstedt is traditionally an agricultural village. As we conclude our visit to Sohnstedt, remember its layers of history. From ancient settlements to its charming church, Sohnstedt offers a glimpse into Thuringia’s past.