Ruhla OT Kittelsthal
Lights in the darkness and cherry branches as a symbol of happiness
In honour of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners and geologists, the 2nd Barbara Festival took place on 4 December 2024 on the grounds of the Kittelsthal Dripstone Cave. Fairy lights and fire bowls created a magical Christmas atmosphere. The centrepiece was the wooden figure of Saint Barbara on display.
Many a Christmas present could be bought at the stalls of the regional traders: Honey products from Töpfer's bee garden, handmade clothing and decorative items from Kettmasche, unique jewellery from Nicole, waffles and ceramics from Unico. The Töpfer family also distributed Barbara branches to the visitors. According to custom, freshly cut cherry branches should be placed in water on 4 December. If these blossom at Christmas, this brings luck and blessings for the coming year.
The offer was complemented by information stands from the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia and the Freundeskreis der Tropfsteinhöhle Kittelsthal e.V. (Friends of the Kittelsthal Dripstone Cave), where visitors were also able to take Advent branches home with them. There were great prizes to be won in a quiz about our local geology organised by the Thuringian Forest Nature Park. At the Ruhla Tourist Information stand, children could make their own magnets and Christmas lanterns. The Gasthaus zur Tropfsteinhöhle catered for the physical well-being.
A highlight of this year's festival was a short torchlight walk. Guests and members of the Young Speleologists and their families walked through Kittelsthal at 5.00 pm and after around 45 minutes brought the light, symbolising the steadfastness of Saint Barbara, back to the stalactite cave.
The Freundeskreis der Tropfsteinhöhle Kittelsthal e.V. would like to thank all traders, club members and guests once again for the successful festival. It is important to us to preserve the tradition of mining in Kittelsthal. Saint Barbara, our patron saint and symbolic figure, will also be honoured next year at the Barbara Festival 2025.
Friends of the Kittelsthal Dripstone Cave e.V.