About Maua

Our village Maua on the river Saale (165 m above Sea level)

Human settling during 12th/13th century. Border between Germans and Slavs. Heathenism along the Saale valley. Saga of the "Rabenschüssel" see further.

Heavy attacks to the village by the "Thuringian Flood" and the "30 Years War". Big disasters by fire in 1640, 1665 and 1800.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as the ducal master builder of Weimar had dinner at our historical restaurant "Goldenes Schiff" during the master reconstruction of the river flow "Saale" between the two villages Rothenstein and Maua in 1791-96 period. He also should have painted "Pappeln an der Saale" in 1806, just days before the historical battle "Schlacht bei Jena" on 14th October 1806 against the French Emperor Napoleon.
The Church was built by Zisterzienser monks in 15th century and has a gothic Altar-room built on 6th May 1468 fwd; last renovation took place in 2003.

The Water-mill on the watercourse shows a stone entrance arch of 1595 as original from the half way water-mill between Maua and Leutra which was destroyed by the "Thuringian Flood".

The natural reserve "Leutratal" as one of the eldest reserve area within Germany invites for guided beautiful Orchid walks in May and June.

The "Eichberg" as a small natural reserve area located directly on the river Saale shows a large number of the flora. On the sand stone rocks sports and training exercise to climb 1 to 5 degrees of the alpine difficulties and from the top (to reach also by walking) a wonderful view into the Saale valley is guaranteed and you may stay directly to touch the "Rabenschuessel" .

The "Rabenschuessel SAGA"

"A Christian monk was banished from the society of the Saale valley by the heathen leaving there. Therefore, he left the valley and settled down on the rocks above the river. From this place overlooking the valley with the heathen, the monk started his missionary to convert the heathen into the Christian confession.
Leaving on the rocks and having no food and no water, the raven took care of the monk.
The monk, finally succeeded in changing heathens confession into the Christian.
Honouring the great support of the raven, the monk created a stone bowel into the stone itself to keep always water for the raven to have a continuously water reservoir for drinking.
The name since the centuries keeps as "Rabenschuessel"".

Note: the visitor will find the stone bowel filled with water for ravens and other birds.