Journey through Thuringia Weimar / wimare - Office for tourism and culture in Weimar and Baden-Baden

CITY TRIPS, e.g.:

ERFURT

During the Middle Ages, Erfurt was the crossroads of long established trade routes. Nowadays, this university town entices with its lovingly restored historic centre and its beautiful timber-framed houses. The monumental ensemble of St. Mary´s Cathedral and the Church of St. Severus - which gave Erfurt the epithet "Thuringia´s Rome" - is particularly impressing. Also, the "Merchants´ Bridge" - a 120 m long bridge completely covered by houses and shops - is an unique construction within Europe. Already Luther, J.S. Bach, Humboldt, the Russian czar Alexander and Napoleon have all visited the town or stayed for a longer period.

ARNSTADT

The oldest town in Thuringia invites with a tour through its medieval lanes where you can find the "Bach Church" in which the famous composer played the organ. Besides the beautiful city centre, the castle in particular museum attracts visitors with its doll town "Mon Plaisir". The baroque exhibition, including 400 figures, reflects the atmosphere at court and is unique in Europe.

GOTHA

With the presence of Voltaire, the town became a centre of the Enlightenment. Today, its churches and the market square are well worth a visit. The former seat of power is dominated by the "Castle Friedenstein" - an impressing three-winged construction from the 17th century which is surrounded by an orangery and a park. Here, the "Ekhof Theatre" inspires a visit as it is the oldest preserved court theatre, including historic stage machinery, in the world.

EISENACH

This town under the world-famous Wartburg Castle is closely associated with the name of the Bach family: Bach´s House and the churches St. Nikolai and St. George´s are reminders of the birth and work places of Johann Sebastian Bach. Martin Luther´s work and life is presented in the house named after him; the revolutionary epoch of the town manifests itself in the Student Fraternity Monument. Eisenach is also proud of its 100-year tradition of vehicle manufacture.

JENA

This rich in tradition university town is inextricably linked with illustrious figures including Hegel, Goethe and Fichte who turned Jena into an intellectual centre during the classical period. Friedrich Schiller worked as a professor of history at the university named after him. Also, the city centre and the botanical gardens are well worth a visit. In addition, the "Zeiss manufactories" from 1866, the "Optical Museum" and the world´s oldest planetarium remind the visitor of the fact that Jena has been a well-known centre of optics and precision mechanics ever since then.

RUDOLSTADT, SAALFELD & FEENGROTTEN

Today, the former seat of power is known to be a popular place for theatre performances and festivals. The outline of the 8 km long town, surrounded by the romantic valley of the river Saale, is dominated by its castle "Heidecksburg".
Only 10 km away, the traveller arrives at Saalfeld - embedded in delightful landscape at the bottom of the Thuringian Forest. Here the "Feengrotten" ("Fairies grottoes") - the most colourful caves in the world - have already fascinated millions of visitors.

TRIPS TO CASTLES AND PARKS, e.g.:

WARTBURG

The impressive landmark of Eisenach has already towered over the town for 1000 years. The legendary "Sängerkrieg" (minstrels´ contest), the charitable work of Saint Elizabeth, the translation of the New Testament by Martin Luther and the student fraternities´ festival have made the fortress a witness of German culture and history. Nowadays, it is one of the country´s most important buildings and has therefore been named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

CASTLES OF DORNBURG

The three castles - the "Renaissance Castle", the "Rococo Castle" and the "Old Castle" - were erected on a slope 90 m above the river Saale. The two buildings first mentioned are still open to the public. In 1828, Johann Wolfgang Goethe withdrew from public life to pass several months in the Renaissance Castle which has been known as "Goethe´s Castle" ever since. Landscape and baroque gardens, rose trellis and vineyards create a romantic scene.

KOCHBERG CASTLE

In 1775, Goethe first came to Großkochberg to visit his friend and confidante Charlotte von Stein at her country estate. Numerous stays were to follow during the coming years that deepened their relationship of spiritual unison. Still today one can find letters, poems and drafts by Goethe and Charlotte exhibited in the moated castle. The "Liebhabertheater" ("Admirer´s Theatre") with marbled wallpaper at the entrance of the landscape park is a showpiece of the grounds which include flower gardens, water courses and a bathing pond.

HEIDECKSBURG

This splendid castle in the baroque style is a harmonious ensemble of architecture, interior designs, sculptures and paintings. Its 40 metres high tower of the former seat of power Rudolstadt can be seen from many kilometres away. In particular the Rococo banqueting hall as well as the rooms for living and festivities fascinate visitors. In addition, the castle´s museum displays ducal collections of painting, porcelain and arms.

CASTLE FRIEDENSTEIN

Germany´s largest baroque castle grounds shelter important art treasures. The three-winged construction in Gotha is surrounded by orangeries and a landscape park. A unique item here is the "Ekhof Theatre" - the country´s oldest stage set with historic machinery. Duke Ernst II founded Germany´s first permanent theatre ensemble.