I took this view of Friedenstein Castle (Schloss Friedenstein) from the staircase of the Ducal Museum of Gotha. The early Baroque palace was built in the mid-17th century by Ernest I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. [German]
Tag: Thuringia
Kirchgasse in Erfurt
Visitors of Erfurt find this romantic lane named Kirchgasse next to Augustine’s Monastery (Augustinerkloster). Martin Luther stayed as a monk in this monastery from 1505–1511.
Ernst Abbe Monument in Jena
The memorial site to Ernst Abbe reminded me more of a temple than a simple monument. A look through the glass door increased the impression. The dainty image of the industrialist and social reformer Ernst Abbe rested on a massive herm. [German]
Domstufen-Festspiele in Erfurt
The Domstufen-Festspiele take place on the 70 steps right between the Mariendom Cathedral and the St. Severi Church. That way, the stage forms an inclined plane. As a result, there are additional options for the stage setting.
“The Little Sandman” in Erfurt
“Please take a seat but be careful, don’t fall asleep!” This sculpture in Erfurt, named Little Sandman (Sandmännchen), refers to a German children’s bedtime television programme using stop motion animation.
Roman House in Weimar
The Roman House in Weimar stands high above the Ilmpark and offers a beautiful view of the countryside from its windows. Grand Duke Karl August once enjoyed this view. Today, a museum inside tells about the history of the park. [German]
Van de Velde Building in Weimar
The Van de Velde Building was designed by Henry van de Velde for the Grand Ducal Saxon School of Arts and Crafts. Today it houses the Faculty of Art and Design of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. At the central staircase you can see a restored mural, originally made by Oskar Schlemmer.
Quotes on Weimar houses
The quotes on the house walls of Weimar are a challenge for attentive walks. They inspire not only to look at gable ends but also to reflect. This quote from Jules Renard made me pensive: “If you know life, please give me its address” (Wenn Sie das Leben kennen, geben Sie mir doch bitte seine Anschrift). What exactly makes us think we know life? [German]
Goethe Garden House
The Goethe garden house is a building in the Ilmpark of Weimar. It was Goethe’s home and workplace until he moved to the Frauenplan in June 1782. Here, he wrote the famous ballad of the Erlkönig and the poem To the Moon. [German]
Barfüsser Church in Erfurt
During a stay at an IBIS hotel in Erfurt, I had this view from my room: It shows the ruins of the Barfüsserkirche, a church named after an order of the Franciscan (Barfüsser). A bombing raid destroyed the building in 1944.
‘Die Sendung mit der Maus’ in Erfurt
These sculptures in Erfurt show two protagonists from the children’s show ‘Die Sendung mit der Maus‘ (The Show with the Mouse). This German TV series explains complex facts in easy-to-understand terms. For entertaining the children, informative stories alternate with humourous clips. [German]
Red Castle in Weimar
On the way from the Duchess Anna Amalia Library to the market, I pass a Renaissance portal with a strikingly large number of coats of arms. The windows have colourful lines like fresh make-up. The gate belongs to the Red Castle (Rote Schloss), which was built in the years 1574/76 as a widow’s residence for Duchess Dorothea Susanne. [German]