The first time I have been in Sonneberg was immediately after the unification. I came with Elizabeth, my wife. We were on a purchasing tour and looking for artist dolls, teddy bears and other items which we were interested to import.
During my second visit, wet snow was falling and I reduced walking to a minimum. The name "Sonneberg" contains the words "sun" and "mountain".
Sonneberg is mainly known for toys. The world famous "Deutsche Spielzeugmuseum" (Toy Museum) is located here. Because of the weather I decided very fast that this museum should be my target and I asked for directions. Please visit my web site about that interesting visit.

I was a little bit worried whether the museum was closed. But it was not Monday and I already had learned the hard way that most attractions are closed on this day.
It was already noon and I decided to have lunch first.
I found a typical Thuringian restaurant, filled mostly with young people - all having a meal and very polite and not noisy. No music, no TV but a pretty and friendly waitress.
Strengthened by the food and a beer I followed again the signs to the museum. It was not closed and I got all the attention because only a few visitors were here because of the poor weather.

So many things have changed in this town of 25 000 since my first visit over ten years ago.
I will spend at least a whole day to explore the town. I will not miss again to visit the "Schloßberg", the "Lutherhaus" which was never used by Martin Luther but is supposed to be a fine restaurant now, the "Cella Antiqua" - a baptismal chapel probably originated in the 9 th century and certainly downtown again.