Event Overview: Open Monument Day

Twenty-five years after electricity was first generated in Jena—100 years ago—the 50-kV hall of the Jena Nord substation, built according to plans by Weimar architect Bruno Röhr, was connected to the grid in 1926 after only seven months of construction. Connected to the Burgau (ZEISS) switchgear, this enabled the establishment of a stable 10 kV grid in Jena. In the 1930s, the substation developed into the hub of the regional power supply. In 1942, it was expanded with the construction of a 110-kV hall and eventually converted to a 110-kV feed-in. Since 1993, it has been listed as a cultural monument in the Free State of Thuringia’s Register of Historic Monuments, and since 1997, it has been home to Imaginata. With its science-themed interactive exhibit park, Imaginata has since invited visitors to explore and discover on their own, utilizing the technical monument as a cultural and educational institution. 

The association took the 100th anniversary as an opportunity to devote greater attention to the industrial and architectural monument itself and to better convey its history and unique features to visitors. As part of the nationwide school initiative “denkmal aktiv – Kulturerbe macht Schule” (Active Heritage – Cultural Heritage Goes to School), sponsored by the German Foundation for Monument Protection, several documentary projects have already been produced in the past, such as one on the exposed masonry of the main building’s facade. Based in part on this research, an exhibition was developed to give visitors a deeper understanding of the substation’s architecture, function, and history; it opened on August 28 to mark the major anniversary.

Could there be a better place to kick off a Heritage Day under the theme “NetzWERKE: Monuments & Infrastructure”?

• Location: Löbstedter Straße 67

“Transformation Under Power—The Former Jena-Nord Power Plant: The Evolution of Its Architecture and Use Since 1901”—under this theme, the 125-year-old machine house of the former Jena power plant invites all interested visitors.

At the end of 1898, the Jena City Council made a groundbreaking decision. It advocated for the construction of a power plant and the operation of an electric streetcar system. As early as January 14, 1899, the “Agreement on the Construction of a Power Plant and an Electric Streetcar System” was signed between the municipal authorities of the royal and university city of Jena and the Berliner Bank in Berlin. Combining the power plant and the streetcar system under a single company was both practical and logical. This functional and business-oriented integration also resulted in a unified physical structure. 

Construction of the power plant and the first car depot on the property on Dornburger Street began in 1900. The project owner was Berliner Bank zu Berlin Jenaer Elektrizitätswerke A. G. The planning was handled by Eisenbahnbau-Gesellschaft Becker & Co. GmbH, Jena Construction Division. Both the tram depot’s carhouse and the power plant’s halls were constructed of brick masonry in the Neo-Gothic style with stepped gables. The facades were visually structured by the alternation of brick and stucco surfaces. In the 20th century, the complex was expanded and renovated several times. The machine house is part of the first construction phase and, thanks to the preserved period-era wall-mounted fixtures and, above all, technical equipment, serves as an authentic testament to Jena’s industrialization. The hall was in use until the 1990s and has been preserved and revitalized since 2014 by the cultural association In's Netz e. V. under the name TRAFO.

• Location: Nollendorfer Straße 30
• Open: 3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • 3:00 p.m.: Open doors
  • 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.: Guided tour of the building with eyewitnesses who will discuss its former use as a power plant
  • 7:00 PM: “Burning Without Burning Out: How Can We Successfully Repurpose Industrial Heritage Sites While Balancing Volunteer Efforts and Creative Freedom?” A discussion on the future of TRAFO

125 years of electricity in Jena also mean 125 years of streetcars. On April 1, 1901, the first streetcar traveled from the car depot at the power plant on Dornburger Straße to the former Schubertsburg restaurant on Kahlaische Straße. Following this state police inspection of the power plant, power lines, and tram system, regular tram service began on April 6 on the so-called “Centrale” route from the Dornburger Straße power plant via the Holzmarkt to Schubertsburg. 

The city’s rapid growth quickly led to an expansion of the route network and, accordingly, required the expansion of depot and workshop facilities. In 1930, the so-called new (second) carhouse, designed by Heinrich Fricke, was built west of the first carhouse on a trapezoidal floor plan resulting from the course of Unterer Philosophenweg (Th.-Mann-Straße). The three-aisled hall, constructed of reinforced concrete with a multi-curved shell roof using the ZEISS-DYWIDAG system, represented a highly acclaimed feat of civil engineering and was duly recognized in contemporary technical literature. In 1948, the tram depot was expanded to include a northern hall. The tram depot is protected as a cultural monument, serving as significant evidence of Jena’s city history, the history of transportation—and thus also urban development—as well as industrial architecture. Unfortunately, Jena’s public transit system had to part ways with its historic depot. For this reason, it will not be open to the public on Heritage Day. However, the historic trams running on Saturday—mobile monuments on modern tracks—will be accessible.

• Location and times: Between 1:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.: Regular service with the historic railcar 26, as well as railcar 101 with trailers 155 and 207, running between Nordschule and Winzerla via the city center 
  • Timetable under “Downloads”

The Oberaue Public Park—comprising Paradies, Rasenmühleninsel, and Oberaue—is largely based on designs by the Jena-based landscape architect G. Weichelt, who, however, primarily drew upon and integrated existing elements. His plans, implemented in 1957, incorporated existing structures such as the old tree-lined avenues, the pond, and the lakeside path, as well as small-scale architectural features from the 1930s, such as the Paradies Café. The glass pavilion was incorporated into the ensemble by Friedhelm Schubring as a multipurpose building between 1974 and 1978 as part of a necessary redesign of the park. Its architecture reflects, on the one hand, the unique character of the Saale floodplain and, on the other, the tradition of classical modernism—in particular, the ideas and design elements of Mies van der Rohe and, above all, Richard Neutra. It captivates with its spaciousness, openness, and clearly structured compactness. Currently, it is precisely these characteristics that define its heritage value that are posing new challenges for historic preservation. The ever-increasing reduction of habitats for animals and plants is unfortunately leading to—in the truest sense of the word—painful collisions in the few remaining natural areas. However, nature conservation and historic preservation have been collaborating trustingly for years. A solution that is compatible with the historic building and protects species will therefore be found. Until then, the window decals will be tolerated.

• Location: In front of Neutor 5a
• Open: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • 5:00 p.m.: “Jena: A Matter of Perspective. Two Lives in Postcards”—A discussion on architectural photography as a source and more with G. Krieg (artist and son of photographer Kurt Krieg) and M. Maleschka (architect, journalist, photographer, and author, recipient of the 2025 German Heritage Preservation Award), Moderated by D. Weiland (art historian)

From Memorial to Lost Place—the monument on Friedensberg. Site visit and lecture at Treff am Fichteplatz (TaF)

• Location: Fichteplatz
  • 2:00 p.m. On-site tour with explanations about the layout and (re)use of the monument on Friedensberg; meet at the entrance gate to the inner area of the monument
  • 3:00 p.m. Barbara Krug (Gotha/Jena): Presentation on the historical and political transformation of the monument, past and present, at the neighborhood café “Treff am Fichteplatz” (TaF), Fichteplatz 9, 07745 Jena

• Location: the so-called “Faulloch” – remnants of the former city fortifications
  • Boys’ choirs from Jena, Uetersen, and Wuppertal; the Göttingen Men’s Choir; and the Alumni Choir

• Location: Courtyard of the Collegium Jenense
  • Boys’ Choirs of Jena, Uetersen, and Wuppertal; Göttingen Men’s Choir; and the Alumni Choir

• Location: Griesbachscher Garten / Am Planetarium 7
  • Jena and Uetersen Boys’ Choirs, Göttingen Men’s Choir, and Alumni Choir

• Location: Friedenskirche / Historic Johannis Cemetery
  • Opening of the service featuring the Jena and Uetersen boys’ choirs, the Göttingen men’s choir, and the alumni choir

• Location: Schiller's Garden / Schillergäßchen 2
  • Men’s choir featuring members of the Philharmonic Boys’ Choir and alumni

Anyone who takes the time can immerse themselves in the widely ramified, sometimes dense, and not always transparent network of Jena society at the Johannisfriedhof. With their very special atmosphere, cemeteries offer an almost immeasurable wealth of knowledge about cultural and social history. They reveal family and professional connections as well as sudden rifts. They reflect paths into and out of families, the city, the country—and thus also the transfer of culture and knowledge. To make this knowledge more accessible, the “Wo sie ruhen” network project was launched several years ago. The“Wo sie ruhen”app guides users to 25 selected gravesites of notable figures, and the information can be played as an audio file on site. The Johannisfriedhof, which is one of the 30 historically significant cemeteries recognized by the federal government, is part of the network project.

Amid all this interconnectedness, however, the Johannisfriedhof also clearly demonstrates how new infrastructure—intended to foster connections—can actually fragment established structures. Today’s Johannisfriedhof is an extension of the burial ground at St. Johannis Baptist Church, which was first mentioned as early as 1307. After expansions to the north and west, the cemetery underwent a radical transformation with the construction of the road to Weimar in 1938. The southern section of the cemetery surrounding the Church of St. John the Baptist was separated. Approximately one-quarter of the cemetery was leveled; some remains were reinterred, and various tombstones were relocated. Today, the park-like grounds cover approximately 1.8 hectares. It contains a large number of graves of notable figures, including those of Friedrich and Johann Wilhelm Kreußler and Carl Zeiss. Their restoration was partially funded by the German Foundation for Monument Protection. Since 2014, an active support association has been dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of this valuable site. For several years now, participants in the International Summer Seminar for Young Academics have also been restoring tombs at the Johannisfriedhof. However, special challenges—such as the renovation of the two mausoleums—can only be met through broad public support in the form of donations. Awareness of this need is also raised on Heritage Day.

• Location: Philosophenweg 1
• Open: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Johannismarkt

  • Accompanying program featuring activities for children and families, musical performances, and coffee and cake

  • 12:00 PM: Guided tour “Tombs for Adults” with J. Patuschek, 

  • 1:00 PM: Guided tour “Treasures—A Tour for Children” with K. Undisz, 

  • 3:00 p.m.: Guided tour “Carl Zeiss on the 210th Anniversary of His Birth—The Zeiss Tomb at the Johannis Cemetery” 

  • 4:00 p.m.: Guided tour “The Friedenskirche and Its Stained-Glass Windows,” both led by R. Schwabe

Churches were and are far more than mere places of worship. They are an integral part of the social, cultural, and physical infrastructure—and, in the case of the Friedenskirche / Garnisonkirche, sometimes also of the military and medical infrastructure. When Jena became the capital of the Duchy of Saxony-Jena in 1672, construction of the church began in 1686 on the site of the old St. John’s Cemetery at the instigation of Johann-Georg II of Saxony-Eisenach. Yet by the time of its consecration, the Duchy of Jena no longer existed. It had passed to the House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach in 1690. In 1743, the church was assigned to the Jena garrison congregation and renamed the Garrison Church. 

During the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt, it served as a military hospital. As part of the extensive renovations and alterations beginning in 1835, the galleries and the pulpit altar—which had been included in the original design—were also added. In 1947, the Jena-based glass artist Fritz Körner created new stained-glass windows to replace those in the chancel that had been destroyed in 1945. In 1946, the congregation renamed the church the “Friedenskirche” (Church of Peace). Following a thorough renovation that lasted until 2010, dry rot was discovered in the interior in 2013; thanks to donations and funding, the damage was repaired by 2016. The church contains 13 epitaphs from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as eight portraits of former superintendents.

• Location: Philosophenweg 1
• Open: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • 11:00 a.m.: Opening of the worship service with the Jena and Uetersen boys’ choirs, the Göttingen men’s choir, and the alumni choir

  • 12:00 p.m.: “Building and Maintaining Bird Nesting Aids” with S. Schießl, NABU

  • 12:30 p.m.: “The Mennewitz Organ—A Mystery Surrounding a Historic Monument” with H. Hempel, Schlöben History Conference e. V.

  • 1:30 p.m.: “Cemeteries and Churches as Habitats for Bats” with Dr. D. Weiss

  • 2:00 p.m.: “Cemetery History” with Dr. B. Happe

  • 2:30 p.m.: “History of the Johannis Cemetery” with Chr. Apfel, Friends of the Johannis Cemetery

  • 3:30 p.m.: “Cemeteries in Transition—An Urban Planning Perspective: Creative Approaches to the Further Development and Preservation of Urban Cemeteries” with V. Göpfert, 2025 Otto Borst Prize Winner

• Parishioners will be on site as knowledgeable contacts
• Various presentations in the church, duration approx. 20 min

On the eastern slope of the Heinrichsberg—which once lay just outside the city gates—lies one of Jena’s most beautiful and, at the same time, most delicate urban spaces. Here, the Botanical Garden and the Griesbach Garden—with its garden house—along with the integrated planetarium form a cultural ensemble of inestimable importance and a green oasis in the densely built-up city. 

In 1775, at the instigation of Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, Johann Jakob Griesbach was appointed professor of theology at the University of Jena. He acquired the plot of land adjacent to the Botanical Garden and had the two-story summer house built in 1782–1783 (d) – 1784–1785 on an intermediate plateau between the upper and lower Philosophenweg. With its Tuscan pilasters and gable fields, as well as its symmetry, the villa embodies the classical architectural style. The construction of the summer house was part of the major redesign of the grounds into an English landscape garden according to Griesbach’s own specifications. Griesbach stayed in England from 1769 to 1770; he was familiar with the gardens there, and he was also familiar with the garden at Wörlitz, which had been under development since the 1760s. In addition, from 1775 to 1777, Hirschfeld published his *Theory of Garden Art*, in which he advocated, among other things, a sentimental-Romantic approach to landscape design. 

The Griesbach Garden was the first English landscape garden in Jena and an early example of this garden ideal in the Thuringian region. It suffered significant losses of area—especially in the 20th century—as well as major losses of design and decorative elements. For example, after the garden passed into the ownership of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the planetarium was built in the southeastern section in 1926, thereby cutting off the valley-like garden area from the old arboretum. In 1927, the foundation made the orchard of Griesbach Park available to the Jena Student Aid Association for the construction of the student cafeteria. Finally, in 1999–2000, the newly constructed residential buildings severed the garden’s connection to the landscape to the north. Despite all this, fundamental elements of the landscape garden have been preserved and remain visible to this day. North-south-oriented berms still help define the walkable landscape painting, as do the meandering, counter-flowing paths, corresponding plantings, wooded backdrops, viewpoints, and the Tree Hall.

• Location: Am Planetarium 7
  • 10:30 a.m.: Pop-up concert by the Jena and Uetersen Boys’ Choirs, the Göttingen Men’s Choir, and the Alumni Choir to mark the 50th anniversary of the Jena Philharmonic Boys’ Choir

The medieval city fortifications protected the citizens from outside attacks and, at the same time, demarcated the city’s legal district from the surrounding countryside. Today, their original dimensions can only be roughly discerned on the western side of the Old Town district.

From the Pulverturm—the northwestern corner tower of the city fortifications, with its gun emplacement in front—as well as from the neighboring Johannistor, the last surviving city gate, there is a beautiful view of Jena’s Old Town—and also into the Fürstengraben. The Fürstengraben is the last remaining section of the city’s fortifications where one can trace the historical changes in the city’s development—from its medieval use as a defensive structure, through its transformation into a promenade and tree-lined avenue, to its role as a “via triumphalis.” Along the road, which was in use from early on, an avenue of linden trees was planted alongside the moat during the brief period of the Duchy of Saxony-Jena. Even though, unfortunately, we can no longer speak of a linden tree-lined avenue today, the green space along the moat and the row of trees—including linden trees—running alongside the street are elements that define the character of both the historically protected ensemble and the city fortifications as a whole. And they’re good for the city’s climate, too!

• Location: Johannisstraße / Am Pulvertur
• Open: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Information materials are available
  • 9:15 a.m.: Pop-up concert featuring the boys’ choirs of Jena, Uetersen, and Wuppertal, the Göttingen Men’s Choir, and the Alumni Choir to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Jena Philharmonic Boys’ Choir

The history of the city of Jena is so closely intertwined with the university that a Heritage Day without university facilities is unthinkable. In 1548, the Academia Jenesis moved into the buildings of the former Dominican monastery in the southwestern part of the city. Following the imperial charter in 1557–58, an extensive renovation of the monastery began under the direction of the state architect Nickel Gromann (c. 1500–1566). Over several construction phases, a unique early modern university complex emerged, featuring lecture halls and student housing in the adjacent Collegiate Church, which continued to serve as a burial site. 

During World War II, the buildings were severely damaged, and the Kollegienkirche was almost completely destroyed. Following extensive excavations beginning in 1947, the building wings along Kollegiengasse and Nonnenplan were constructed between 1955 and 1957 according to plans by the Entwurfsbüro für Industriebau as part of the city center reconstruction project. In doing so, the designers deliberately drew inspiration from the early modern floor plan of the university complex and created a dignified new closure to the Kollegienhof through high-quality architecture that also provides a simple yet distinct boundary to the preserved historic structures. Since 2018, the artifacts recovered during excavations have been analyzed in an interdisciplinary manner, together with written records and the surviving buildings. 

• Location: Kollegiengasse 10
• Start: 9:45 a.m.

  • 9:45 a.m.: Pop-up concert by the Jena and Uetersen Boys’ Choirs, the Göttingen Men’s Choir, and the Alumni Choir to mark the 50th anniversary of the Jena Philharmonic Boys’ Choir

  • 10:00 a.m. (immediately following): Guided tour on the history of the Collegium Jenense and the university in the Kollegien-Hof with Dr. E. Paust, Curator of the Prehistory and Early History Collection at Friedrich Schiller University

Friedrich Schiller lived and worked in Jena for ten years. Of the five houses in which he lived during those years, only the garden house remains. Schiller purchased the garden house on the outskirts of what was then Jena’s Südvorstadt in March 1797. Just two months later, he moved into the house with his family. The following year, he had a small tower, his “Belvedere,” built at the southwest corner of the property; its upper floor served as a retreat where he could write poetry. Goethe called it the “Gartenzinne.” The rear part of the garden was densely planted with various fruit trees, while a vegetable garden was located next to the house. There were also many flowering shrubs. 

In this little paradise on the Leutra, he wrote parts of *Wallenstein*, *Maria Stuart*, and the famous ballads for the *Musenalmanach*. In 1811—six years after Schiller’s death—the first Jena Observatory was built here at the request of Duke Carl August. Friedrich Schiller was part of a wide-ranging network that supported him and his family. Despite all his genius, his life and creative work would have been difficult to imagine without this network. The garden, too, served not only as a place of retreat but also as a meeting place for intellectual exchange.

• Location: Schillergäßchen 2
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (free admission) 

  • 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.: Guided tours of the house and garden with Dr. S. Schlotter, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena (max. 15 people, duration approx. 30 min.)

  • “Only the Imagination Is Forever Young—Silhouettes and Origami”
  • “Precious—A Treasure Hunt Through Schiller’s Garden and House”
  • 12:00 p.m.: Pop-up concert by the men’s choir consisting of members of the Philharmonic Boys’ Choir and alumni, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Jena Philharmonic Boys’ Choir

The history of the Carmelite community in Jena has been marked by numerous upheavals. The original monastery building, erected in 1414, was replaced as early as the end of the 15th century by a new structure with an adjoining hall church. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1529, a printing press was established on the premises in 1553 at the behest of Duke Johann Friedrich of Saxony. From the very beginning, this press was used to publish a new complete edition of Luther’s works. To this end, in November 1553, the duke granted the printer Johann Rödinger the exclusive privilege to print and distribute Luther’s writings.

Printed materials formed the media infrastructure of the Reformation. The dissemination of Reformation ideas—made possible by movable-type printing—far beyond the confines of a small educated minority contributed significantly to their establishment. The monastery is therefore one of the most outstanding historical sites and testaments to the history of the Reformation. Following the decline of the printing shop during the Thirty Years’ War, the monastery buildings were converted in 1669 into the inn “Zum gelben Engel”—and thus remained part of a specific urban infrastructure: that of inns, taverns, and pubs. 

Extensively renovated in 2017 in accordance with historic preservation standards, the area surrounding the only authentic site of monastic life and the 16th-century Reformation in Jena underwent another transformation with the construction of the new library. On Open Monument Day, this gem will once again take center stage.

• Location: Engelplatz 1
• Open: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (free admission), short guided tours available upon request for groups of 5 or more
  • 12:30 p.m.: Public guided tour with museum staff

The market square is the central hub not only in the city’s social fabric but also in the broader regional transportation and trade network. Like almost no other place, it offers insights into the city’s historical development through a look at the evolution of its buildings, architectural styles, and the composition of owners, developers, tenants, and local trades. The Historic Town Hall also stands here as a focal point and architectural expression of local self-government. Here stand townhouses and inns whose history stretches back many centuries. The last gabled house on the market square is today the “Alte Göhre.” 

The house, with its two-story, solid stone base, curtain-arch windows, and a keel-arch portal, owes its name to the wine merchant Paul Göhre, who purchased the house in 1893. The oldest parts in the house’s basement date back to the 13th century. The predecessor to the current building was erected around 1370. Between 1554 and 1557, the house was remodeled to its current appearance by adding a second upper story in half-timbered style. A wooden parlor was installed on the first upper story. The “Neue Göhre” was built in 1908, following the demolition of the old market mill, commissioned by Göhre and designed by Johannes Schreiter. Its neo-Gothic storefront faces Saalstraße. Since 1986, it has served as the headquarters of the Jena City Museums. 

• Location: Markt 7
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (free admission)

The current home of the Jena Tourist Information Office and the Art Association consists of two buildings with a ground floor. The building facing the market was constructed in 1384 (d) on the remains of several earlier structures as a three-story warehouse and office building with a gable facing the market. The “Hohe Halle” on the ground floor of the building facing the market was constructed as a single, unpartitioned space. In 1435 (d), a rear wing was added as an east-facing residential building with a wooden parlor. The front building was also converted for residential use in 1650. During this renovation, the roof structure was also rebuilt, so that it now faced the market along the eaves. 

In a further construction project in 1736–1737, the facade facing the market was completely renovated and the attic was remodeled. During architectural-historical investigations conducted from 1994 to 1997, the largely preserved medieval structural framework of both buildings was identified as a half-timbered structure featuring wall posts that ran continuously through all stories. The original clay infill, painted with broad parallel lines, has been completely preserved, as has the floor above the ground floor (plank flooring, rammed clay, and a gypsum screed as the wear layer on the first floor). Remnants of the historic wall paintings in the wooden parlor of the residential building can still be admired today. In 2003, the city of Jena received the Thuringian Historic Preservation Award for the restoration of the buildings in accordance with historic preservation standards. Warehouse buildings, particularly those that served as both warehouses and office buildings, were important functional structures in the urban infrastructure.

• Location: Markt 16
• Open: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; members of the Art Association are on site to provide information

The true center of early Romanticism in Jena and the “historic Romantic House” was located at Leutragasse 5. It was inhabited by August W. Schlegel, Caroline Schlegel, Dorothea Veit, and Friedrich Schlegel beginning in 1796. In November 1799, the now-famous “Romantics’ Gathering” took place there, attended by Friedrich von Hardenberg (Novalis), Friedrich W. J. Schelling, and Ludwig Tieck. The building was destroyed in 1945. Leutragasse ceased to exist with the construction of the ZEISS/University Tower.

The building now known as the “Romantikerhaus” was the home of the philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte. It was built around 1670 (1667–1668) on older foundations. The building was originally located on a small square (Sitzenplan) at the intersection of Unterm Markt and Unterlauengasse. At the beginning of the 20th century, the surrounding area underwent extensive restructuring as part of urban development measures. With the construction of the building complex at Unterm Markt 8–12, the public square was transformed into a courtyard area, which, however, still serves as the main access point. The building itself is the last remaining premodern house within the area. Today, its main façade faces Löbdergraben. As awareness of the significance of Jena’s Early Romanticism grew, it was decided to create a museum in Jena dedicated to this period. To this end, the “Memorial to German Early Romanticism” was opened in 1981 on the ground floor of the building, which had previously been used as a residence. By 1985, the open spaces had been landscaped; today, these are also protected by conservation status. In 2021–2022, the house was renovated following structural damage. Extensive renovation work is now planned for the ground floor, but especially for the outdoor area.

• Location: Unterm Markt 12a
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (free admission)

Open Monument Day is monument education in a nutshell. Monument education, in turn, is an important component of historical, political, and cultural education. The Volkshaus was built precisely for this purpose. The Jena Philharmonic is also dedicated to cultural education and outreach. In this regard, what naturally belongs together is now coming together in a time-honored tradition: the Jena Philharmonic’s season-opening concert, the Volkshaus Open House, and Open Monument Day. 

Designed between 1901 and 1903 on the initiative of Ernst Abbe and based on plans by Arwed Roßbach, this angular complex of buildings was intended to provide 

“educate and intellectually stimulate theworkers”

 . The complex, with its functional internal layout, stately facades and interior design, and its hall—which boasts exceptional acoustics and architectural quality—continues to serve a variety of functions to this day. However, the striking kitchen wing had to make way for the new “German Optical Museum” construction project, and the reading room lost its decades-long use due to the construction of the new library building. The renovation, carried out from 2017 to 2022 in accordance with historic preservation standards, included not only the repair of damage but also the restoration of historic surface finishes and adaptation to modern and new usage requirements. Since the building complex is no longer quite as freely accessible to the general public due to its new use,the goal is to create“...a house open to everyone”through at least one annual “Open House” on the weekend of Heritage Day. 

• Location: Carl-Zeiß-Platz 15
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Tower & Hall Building)

  • Starting at 3:00 p.m.: Season-opening concert “Planet Dvořák” by the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by General Music Director Simon Gaudenz and featuring the participation of Jena’s Mayor, Dr. Th. Nitzsche, in the Ernst-Abbe Hall

ZEISS’s global success is based on the collaboration between Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, and Otto Schott. In the mid-19th century, the mechanic Carl Zeiss founded his optical workshop in Jena. Physicist Ernst Abbe contributed the crucial optical calculations and revolutionized the manufacture of optical instruments. Chemist Otto Schott brought modern glass processing to the innovative team. Ernst Abbe—the outstanding scientist, entrepreneur, and, above all, social reformer and patron of the arts—was honored here, at the heart of his work, with a monument that itself was the result of collaboration among a wide variety of artists and cultural figures. Abbe’s reforms and initiatives (the Zeiss Foundation with its social charter, the establishment of the Volkshaus as a center for education and culture for all, and the founding of housing cooperatives) succeeded because Abbe not only had visions but was also embedded in a broad and influential network spanning urban society, business, academia, politics, and culture, and was also able to serve as a bridge between entrepreneurs, workers, politicians, and cultural figures.

The monumental memorial pavilion, designed by Henri van de Velde, was erected between 1909 and 1911 in honor of Ernst Abbe. Inside, the temple-like structure houses bronze castings of the four reliefs by Constantin Emile Meunier that were originally intended to be carved in stone. He created them for the “Monument to Labor,” which remained unfinished. The reliefs depict: “Industry,” “The Mine,” “The Harvest,” and “The Harbor.” The relief “L’Industrie” portrays a dramatic scene in a glassworks and thus fit perfectly in Jena. The use of the other reliefs became possible due to their thematic interpretation, which allowed them to be adapted from their original context. At the center of the pavilion, on a red marble pedestal, stands the herma created by Max Klinger in white marble, featuring a portrait bust of Ernst Abbe and allegorical representations. Embedded in a green space, the pavilion forms the centerpiece of Carl-Zeiss-Platz. The octagonal central structure is regarded as a total work of art of European stature, whose impact and expressiveness are directly linked to its surroundings. Its location within the urban landscape is justified not only by its proximity to Abbe’s former workplace but also for symbolic reasons. Together with the ZEISS main plant, the Volkshaus, and Abbe’s former residence, it forms a place of reflection within the triangle of work, life, and culture.

• Location: Carl-Zeiss-Platz
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; informational materials and staff are available on site

Built 100 years ago—in 1926—according to plans by Schreiter & Schlag, the ZEISS Planetarium is the world’s oldest free-standing large-scale planetarium still in operation. The building is not only an outstanding example of early 20th-century concrete architecture; above all, it is the prototype of a newly created architectural genre: the planetarium. Designed as a standalone structure in a spacious setting, the main building takes the form of a dome-crowned rotunda with a transverse rectangular, eight-axis portico—effectively serving as a pronaos to the temple of science and technology. The concrete shell, constructed using the ZEISS-DYWIDAG system, is only 6 cm thick. While the outer mesh dome forms the foundation of the concrete shell, an inner mesh dome supports the projection screen. The space between them, filled with metal sheets suspended at various heights, served to improve acoustics. 

The groundbreaking invention of the so-called ZEISS-DYWIDAG system can be traced back to Walter Bauersfeld. For the “planetarium apparatus” he and Franz Meyer invented, a test chamber was needed where the celestial vault could be projected on a trial basis. Bauersfeld developed the hemispherical lattice from flat iron rods, each held together in a star-shaped pattern via a special 6-point node connection. This lattice serves as the foundation. It was encased in a wire mesh and shaped into a closed shell surface using shotcrete—the newly invented spraying method involving the layer-by-layer application of concrete. The inner mesh dome is constructed in the same way as the outer one. To mark the 100th anniversary of the ZEISS Planetarium, the projection surface and technology were modernized and renovated. The network was on display for several weeks. On Heritage Day, the Ernst Abbe Foundation will offer guided tours explaining the construction and restoration measures of this cultural monument, which was recognized in 2019 by the Federal Chamber of Engineers as a “Historic Landmark of Engineering Architecture in Germany.”

• Location: Am Planetarium 5
• Open: 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.: half-hour guided tours with Th. Schmidt and J. Hühn of the Ernst Abbe Foundation (max. 20 people—advance registration required!)
  • Registration on September 8 and September 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day by calling 0049 3641 495141 or by email at denkmalamt@jena.de by September 11,2026

In 1828, master blacksmith Pelzer founded the Gebr. Pelzer Machine Shop on Wagnergasse, which in 1908 became the Franz Pelzer Company on Fischergasse. In the two-story workshop building, all types of repairs related to the metalworking industry were carried out, particularly repairs to butcher shop, agricultural, and printing equipment. The workshop’s equipment was correspondingly comprehensive. The workshop was also granted a patent—for a bratwurst grill. After its closure in 1992, it was initially acquired by JENOPTIK GmbH, but was transferred to the City of Jena as early as 1993; the city has since used this technical monument as a museum.

• Location: Fischergasse 1
• Open: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (free admission), short guided tours available upon request for groups of 5 or more 

  • 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.: “Workshop History(ies)”—public tour led by museum staff

The Oberaue Public Park—comprising Paradies, Rasenmühleninsel, and Oberaue—is largely based on designs by the Jena landscape architect G. Weichelt, who, however, primarily drew upon and integrated existing elements. His plans, implemented in 1957, incorporated existing structures such as the old tree-lined avenues, the pond, and the lakeside path, as well as small-scale architectural features from the 1930s, such as the Paradiescafé. The glass pavilion was incorporated into the ensemble as a multipurpose building designed by Friedhelm Schubring during a necessary redesign of the park from 1974 to 1978. Its architecture reflects, on the one hand, the unique character of the Saale floodplain and, on the other, the tradition of classical modernism—in particular, the ideas and design elements of Mies van der Rohe and, above all, Richard Neutra. It captivates with its spaciousness, openness, and clearly structured compactness. 

Currently, it is precisely these characteristics—which define its heritage value—that present new challenges for historic preservation. The ever-increasing reduction of habitats for animals and plants is unfortunately leading to—in the truest sense of the word—painful collisions in the few remaining natural areas. However, nature conservation and historic preservation have been working together in a spirit of trust for years. A solution that is compatible with the historic structure and protects species will therefore be found. Until then, the window decals will be tolerated.

• Location: In front of Neutor 5a
• Open: September 13, 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

  • Storefront exhibition on the history of the Glashaus, 

  • 3:00 p.m. Terrace concert featuring “Kalter Dienstag,” 

  • 4:00 p.m.: Terrace concert featuring “Frau Meyer”

  • A small buffet and beverages will be available.

Under this year’s theme, “NetzWERKE: Monuments & Infrastructure – Historic Buildings That Move and Connect Us,” the spotlight is also on the cultural educational infrastructure that facilitates the much-needed transfer of knowledge and culture, as well as the social and professional networks that keep our landscape of historic monuments alive. An important and very special hub in these networks for Jena is Villa Rosenthal.

Prof. Eduard Rosenthal, a two-time university rector and a lawyer deeply committed to social and cultural policy, was a co-author of the statutes of the Carl Zeiss Foundation and is considered the architect of the “Thuringian State Constitution.” Built in 1890–1891 according to plans by the Berlin architectural firm Kayser and von Großheim as a residence for him and his wife Clara, the house became one of the cultural hubs of bourgeois intellectual life in and around Jena shortly after the family moved in. In 1924, Clara and Eduard Rosenthal stipulated in their will that the villa and the accompanying estate be transferred to the city of Jena. This included Clara Rosenthal’s right to reside there for the rest of her life. As early as 1928, Clara Rosenthal transferred ownership of the property to the city of Jena. In 1939, the mayor ordered that “the house be made free of Jews.” Thanks to an intervention by the city’s legal department, Clara Rosenthal retained her apartment on the ground floor of the house. Evidently broken and seriously ill, she took her own life there on November 11, 1941. Her body was taken to the North Cemetery in Jena; the location of her grave remains unknown to this day. In 2009, Villa Rosenthal was reopened by jenawohnen GmbH following a thorough renovation in accordance with historic preservation standards. Under the direction of JenaKultur, a diverse program of events has since commemorated the Rosenthal family’s political, social, and cultural commitment. The site is also part of the decentralized memorial to Eduard Rosenthal titled “Exploratory Drillings.”

The villa captivates with its exceptionally grand design, in which each room was stylistically inspired by a specific historical era. To this day, fragments of a monumental mural, Rococo embellishments, wall paneling, and various Art Nouveau elements have been preserved. It is nestled within a park-like garden spanning approximately 4,000 m² with historic trees and a memorial pavilion. 

Villa Rosenthal is also part of a hillside development of villas and gardens dating from around 1870 to 1900 that shapes the character of the town. Particularly in conjunction with the boundary walls and terraces of the neighboring villas—most of which are also registered as cultural monuments—the design and layout of the rocky plateau take on outstanding significance and create a sweeping, expansive effect. However, it is precisely this rocky plateau that now poses a major challenge for the preservation of the cultural monument. Together with jenawohnen GmbH, the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, and scientific institutes, sustainable and feasible solutions are being sought. 

• Location: Mälzerstraße 11
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; staff are available on site
  • All day: “Permanent Exhibition on the Rosenthal Family”

The University Hospitals—formerly the State Mental Hospitals—in Jena form a complex of various buildings that has evolved over more than 200 years. Their design, form, and the partially preserved structure and furnishings reflect the medical technology and ethics of the era in which they were built. Originally built as a large-scale complex outside the city gates, it is now an important part of downtown Jena. Despite having been built in successive phases, the complex follows an overarching design concept, which is particularly evident in the layout of the pathways, the design of the plazas and green spaces, and the dedicated, function-oriented architectural ornamentation. 

The healing concept of recovery in a green environment played a prominent role in the design. All 19th-century hospital buildings were connected via elaborately designed green spaces to the central green area, which was modeled after contemporary landscape parks. The Bachstraße area forms the nucleus of Jena’s university medical center and is of outstanding significance in terms of urban, cultural, and medical history. It is protected as a historic monument complex. Some structures are also protected as individual cultural monuments. The area is on the verge of major transformation. An urban development plan is currently being drafted. Since last year’s tour of the site was somewhat disorganized due to “overcrowding,” this year’s event will begin with an introductory lecture in the lecture hall of the Eye Clinic, followed by a guided tour of the site that includes a visit to the bunker at the Women’s Clinic. Unfortunately, the Pathology Building is no longer accessible. 

• Location: Bachstraße 18
• Open: 1:00 p.m.: Lecture in the lecture hall of the Eye Clinic, followed by a short guided tour of the hospital grounds with E. Zimmermann of the Lower Monument Preservation Authority (total duration: approx. 2.5 hours)

For 150 years now, the monument to the fallen of the Jena Battalion in the Franco-Prussian War—built between 1871 and 1874 and renovated in 2009—has towered above the treetops in the forest. On a clear day, the Forst Tower offers fantastic views of Jena and the surrounding valleys. The same is true of the Bismarck Tower, built on the Malakoff between 1906 and 1909 as a monumental lookout point based on plans by W. H. Kreis under the direction of City Planning Director Bandtlow, in honor of the former Imperial Chancellor. For years, the Bismarck Tower has exhibited severe damage, particularly to the tower crown—the crown gallery featuring eagle sculptures—and the lower balustrade. Years of moisture penetration into the masonry have caused significant structural damage here. The nine supporting pillars of the crown gallery have already shifted out of position. The structure of the arched masonry in the crown gallery is also severely compromised. In recent years, emergency stabilization measures have been carried out, including the removal of stones at risk of falling. 

Since this spring, the KIJ municipal agency has been carrying out the first phase of the comprehensive renovation. The project is funded by the Thuringian State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments. On National Heritage Day, KIJ and the Berggesellschaft Forsthaus e. V. are hosting construction site tours to provide updates on the ongoing work and planned future measures. The Berggesellschaft Forsthaus e. V. will also be presenting an exhibition on the history of the Bismarck Tower.

• Location: Auf dem Forst
• Forst Tower open: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Bismarck Tower open: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Construction site tours with Ms. D. Kohl (Kommunale Immobilien Jena) and Mr. Th. Pfeil (architect); last tour at 2:45 p.m.
  • Please note: Access to the scaffolding platform will be in small groups of 10 to 15 people. Sturdy, closed-toe shoes must be worn. Children must be at least 8 years old (minimum height 1.20 m) and may only access the scaffolding when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Please explore the area without a car if possible; there are only a limited number of parking spaces available on Schottplatz. 

The small observatory was built in 1903–1904 as the first company observatory of Carl Zeiss. The dome itself has a diameter of 6 m, but was supplemented by a small workshop building. The front porch was added in 1913, and another extension was built in 1936–1937. Today, the observatory is equipped with a 500/10,000 Cassegrain reflecting telescope from the 1970s. In 2024–2025, maintenance work was carried out on the telescope’s mounting and drive system. Due to the observatory’s design and location, the work proved somewhat more complex. The city of Jena was able to support the work on the telescope with a small grant.

The history and preservation of the small Forest Observatory are directly linked to the work of the Urania Society. This society, too, emerged from the network of the university, the ZEISS factory, and the local community that has had such a strong influence on Jena. In 1897, the astronomy department of the ZEISS factory was founded. This was accompanied by the idea, proposed by some employees of this department, to establish a popular-science astronomy association. It was founded in 1909 as Urania e.G.m.b.H., a cooperative with an initial membership of 20. In the summer of 1909, Carl Zeiss made the Forest Observatory available to the society. In 1924, the cooperative changed its name to the registered association Volkssternwarte Urania e. V. Tensions within this network fluctuated over time, but it endured. In 1936, the association had to hand over the Forest Observatory to the university. In return, it received the Winkler Dome on Schillergässchen. After World War II, the association was transferred to the Astronomical Working Group of VEB Carl Zeiss Jena. Sixty years ago, on April 19, 1966, the members of the Volkssternwarte Urania received the Forest Observatory—including the 500/10,000 Cassegrain reflecting telescope—back from the university and have been operating two observatories ever since. The Astronomy Working Group has once again been a registered association since December 5, 1990, in accordance with its 1909 bylaws.

• Location: Auf dem Forst / Forstweg 88
• Open: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Depending on visitor interest, dome tours are offered on an ongoing basis by members of the Volkssternwarte Urania Jena e. V. Solar observations are conducted when weather conditions permit.

The Church of Our Lady was built in honor of the Virgin Mary on the site of a 13th-century structure. It served as the focal point of the villages of Wenigenjena and Camsdorf. Construction of the new church began around 1400 with the building of the large polygonal choir, under the direction of master builder Peter Heuerliß, the leading stonemason at the Jena City Church. After the “Schöne Pforte” (Beautiful Gate)—the entrance portal on the south facade of the nave—was partially completed, plans for a large new church had to be abandoned due to the Reformation. In 1516, a temporary wooden roof was erected. The construction of the tower also remained unfinished due to the Reformation. It was not until the post-Reformation period (1557) that the church was completed in a scaled-down form and with a simple design. In 1790, Friedrich Schiller married Charlotte von Lengefeld in the village church. During the church’s restoration from 1897 to 1902, the choir was vaulted. In the second half of the 20th century, parts of the church had to be closed off due to dry rot and the collapse of the nave roof. Renovation of the church began in 1990, funded in part by donations from Marbach, Schiller’s birthplace.

• Location: Schlippenstraße 32
• Open: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM; parishioners are on site and happy to provide information

Beginning in 1424, the present church building was constructed as a “new chapel” to house a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary. The completion of the late-Gothic choir marks the beginning of a lively pilgrimage tradition in Ziegenhain. In 1636, the choir was structurally separated; the three-aisled nave is now in ruins. Wall paintings depicting the Feast of the Epiphany, dating from around 1430 and preserved on the north wall of the choir, presumably show views of the castle complex on the local hill. The Gothic winged altar contains 353 student “inscriptions” dating from 1591 to 1635. One of the few surviving Baroque pyramid altars in Germany (1694) has been back in the chancel since 2016 following restoration. 

In recent years, the roof trusses and roofs (the church roof and tower) were renovated with various historic preservation grants and the support of the church building association. In January 2022, the spire, weather vane, and cross were installed. In 2024, the outdoor grounds were landscaped. The recasting of two bronze bells, commissioned last year, was completed this year. On Heritage Day, visitors can tour both the magnificent St. Mary’s Church and the two new bells. The ceremonial consecration of the bells is planned for the fall.

• Location: Edelhofgasse 9
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parishioners will be on site
  • 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Guided tour of the church with Prof. Dr. M. Jahreis and Prof. Dr. G. Jahreis
  • 5:00 p.m.: Devotional service and church tour with Pastor Dr. Chr. Rymatzki

In the Middle Ages, Lobdeburg Castle was not only the residence of the noble family from which it took its name, but also an important component of the administrative and infrastructural organization of their domain. This domain stretched from the Saale Valley to the northern Thuringian Slate Mountains. To underscore this significance, a location visible from afar was chosen for the castle’s construction in the mid-12th century. The castle thus served as a landmark on the outer border of the Lobdeburg domain.

Today, the castle ruins, situated in a prominent position on the landscape, are characterized above all by the monumental residential tower of Anglo-Norman style, designed to be visible from a distance.

After nearly 30 years of comprehensive restoration—carried out in accordance with historic preservation guidelines—of the above-ground structures that had been preserved and those uncovered through archaeological investigations, the castle is now once again open to the public and offers visitors surprising views both inside and out. In his 2020 dissertation, Jena’s city archaeologist, Dr. Rupp, analyzed the archaeological excavations and architectural investigations conducted in connection with this project—some of which he carried out himself. Visitors can look forward to an exciting guided tour.

• Location: on the rocky outcrop south of Lobeda
• Open: 9:30 a.m.; Meeting point: in front of the castle gate
  • Guided tour of the castle complex with Dr. M. Rupp, city archaeologist / Lower Monument Preservation Authority 

The current late-Gothic church was built on the site of an older church that was first mentioned in 976 and 1228 and was destroyed in 1446 during the Saxon Brothers’ War. Reconstruction of the church began at the end of the 15th century, with the nave built on the remains of the previous structure’s walls. The Gothic choir, which today defines the silhouette of Lobeda, was added between 1477 and 1483. Further alterations are first documented in 1622 by a construction inscription. The interior features valuable, large-scale late-Gothic wall and ceiling paintings, including monumental depictions of St. Christopher and the Madonna in a halo on the northern choir wall. Unfortunately, the master or masters of the secco paintings are unknown. Master builder Nikolaus Theiner from Lobeda (NTL) is often cited as the creator of the wonderful Renaissance stone pulpit from 1556, but the stonemason’s mark does not match, and it would be a very mature early work. Some things simply remain a mystery. 

Extensive construction work is planned for the church itself, as well as in the churchyard. For example, the roof structure and roofing over the choir are scheduled to be renovated in 2027. To finance these important projects, benefit concerts, among other events, are being held at St. Peter’s Church. To conclude Heritage Day, Stilbruch will perform.

• Location: Lobeda, Susanne-Bohl-Straße
• Open: 2:00–5:00 p.m., guided tours available upon request by parishioners
  • 6:00 p.m.: Benefit concert featuring “Stilbruch” from Leipzig to fund the church renovation

Drackendorf, first mentioned in historical records at the end of the 13th century, is closely associated with the von Ziegesar family. In 1746, following the death of the von Griesheim family, Carl Siegmund von Ziegesar acquired the Drackendorf manor through his marriage to Christiane S. von Griesheim. Under August Friedrich Carl von Ziegesar (1746–1813) and his son Anton (1783–1843), the Drackendorf estate developed in the 18th and 19th It became a meeting place and retreat for humanists and classical scholars such as Goethe, Schopenhauer, Herder, Wieland, Kügelgen, and Caspar David Friedrich. The basic layout of the Drackendorf Park as an English landscape garden also dates back to Ziegesar’s initiative, although an existing older park was partially redesigned and expanded. 

With the construction of the tea house in 1854 by Clara von Helldorff—her husband had acquired the estate in 1836—there was likely a redesign / rearrangement of the entire grounds in the style of a classical landscape garden, although evidence of this can only be found for the narrow area directly in front of the tea pavilion. However, the park’s basic structure—in terms of spatial organization, sightlines, and the network of paths—which still exists today, likely dates back to this period. The oldest group of trees today—comprising a total of six trees—also dates back to this period. By 2021, thanks to municipal and European funding, a development plan commissioned by the City of Jena had been gradually implemented in large parts, and the original design concept had been brought back to life in harmony with nature conservation concerns.

• Location: Drackendorf, Alte Dorfstraße
• Pavilion open: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.; knowledgeable members of the local heritage association will be on site; fair featuring music, snacks, and Schellenbier 
• Heimatstube (Alte Dorfstraße 20) open: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The Church of the Resurrection of Christ, located on the edge of Drackendorf Park, traces its origins to a Romanesque predecessor. Parts of the church structure likely date back to the 13th century. Between 1653 and 1656, the church was remodeled and partially rebuilt, incorporating the choir and the lower portion of the tower from a previous Gothic structure, thanks to a donation by the patron, Christian Beer. Although the exterior walls and windows of the Gothic choir have been preserved, neither the tracery nor the vaulting remains. According to architectural inscriptions above the doors, both the nave and the south wing—which housed the lord’s seat—as well as the enclosed octagonal tower structure were erected during this period. 

The galleries installed in 1786 were already dismantled during the 1867 renovation carried out by Building Inspector Spittel. Today, one enters the church interior through the round-arched portal on the south side of the tower. The patronage of the Church of the Resurrection was held by local noble families, including the Pusters, the von Ziegesars, and the von Helldorfs.

• Location: Am Goethepark 3
• Open: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; informational materials are available

The Baroque St. Paul’s Church in Wöllnitz was built between 1740 and 1743 on the site of, and incorporating, a previous structure, based on plans by master builder Johann Wilhelm Hase. The irregular octagonal central structure is crowned by an octagonal, 20-meter-high roof tower with a tailed dome and a lantern. A sweeping Baroque pediment accentuates the south facade of the church, which is built of shell limestone. The church’s walls are pierced by flat-arched windows. The character of a central-plan building is also evident inside the church; two rows of wooden galleries encircle the central nave. 

Originally, two bells hung in the church tower. They were removed from the tower in 1814 because the side walls of the church were in danger of collapsing. Today, two steel bells dating from 1920 are housed in a bell tower on a hill between Oberwöllnitz and Unterwöllnitz, which is now also protected as a cultural monument. The church houses an organ built between 1859 and 1861 by a member of the Poppe family of organ builders from (the town of) Roda. It was part of the EKM’s research project “Mold Infestation in Organs in Central Germany.” 

• Location: Unterdorfstraße
• Open: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; parishioners are available on site as contacts

The single-nave church was built between 1701 and 1703 on the site of an earlier structure. The church’s founder, Friedrich von Kospoth (1630–1701), tenant of the Burgau royal estate, died in 1701, shortly after the cornerstone was laid. After the church was completed, his mummified body was interred in the crypt beneath the altar area. Since the early 1990s, the church has undergone extensive preservation work, including fundamental stabilization measures for the tower and the church’s roof structure. In addition, the Baroque interior design—which had been lost during the period-typical repainting in 1884—was reconstructed based on the findings of color analysis conducted during restoration. In 2018, the floor was renovated and expanded. After several years of preparatory work, the extensive restoration of the Poppe organ from 1796 was able to begin in 2026. The space surrounding the restored organ has already been renovated. 

The preservation of our cultural monuments relies on the volunteer efforts of many people. Traugott Keßler was a figure particularly dedicated to sharing knowledge about and fostering a passion for Burgau’s historic landscape. For many years, he was also a caring, reliable, and creative point of contact for the historic preservation authorities. Sadly, he passed away this year. Ute Merbach has also passed away; among other things, as a founding benefactor of the Jena Church Foundation, she provided significant funding for the restoration of the Trinity Church. On Heritage Day, which also coincides with German Organ Day, a memorial concert will be held in her honor at the Burgau Church as part of the Burgau Organ Festival.

• Location: Geraer Straße 69
• Open: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • 4:00 p.m.: Benefit concert with L. Förster (cantor, Jena City Church)

  • 5:00 p.m.: “Who’s Whistling There?!” Organ and poetry with A. Korn and D. Modersohn

  • 7:00 p.m.: Memorial concert with D. Modersohn (church musician and organ expert)

The first construction phase (1981 to 1986) of the Winzerla housing estate—which was designed in three phases—included 2,600 apartments, a kindergarten, a supermarket, the Wasserachse, and two schools with an attached gymnasium, One of these two schools is the former “Goethe School” at Hugo-Schrade-Str. 1. It was built as a two-track polytechnic high school between 1983 and 1985. Due to local conditions (including the topography of the site) and previous experience, several adjustments and modifications were made to the Gera standard design - Ratio 81. This included the entrance areas (steps, railings, entrance canopy), but particularly the joint sealing of the concrete elements and the floor construction. 

The design was carried out by VEB Wohnbaukombinat Gera BT 5 (Rudolstadt). The special building service station HA 2, equipped with microcomputer modules from VEB TGA Gera, BT Neustadt/Orla, for temperature control of the heating circuits and domestic hot water, was retrofitted in January 1987. Building services and sanitary facilities underwent partial renovations and upgrades as the building continued to be used. The school is the last “Gera”-type prefabricated school built in Jena and, at the same time, the last school of this type in Jena that is still largely preserved in its original condition from the late 1980s. In the spring of 2024, it was added to the list of historic monuments for historical and urban planning reasons and has been a frequent topic of discussion ever since. Its historical significance is explained during guided tours and in discussions.

• Location: Hugo-Schrade-Straße 1
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; members of the citizens’ initiative and the neighborhood council will be available for conversation over a light brunch
  • Guided tour with I. Claus, Thuringian State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments

St. Nicholas Church, built in the 12th century as a square-choir church, was a branch of St. Laurentius Church in Maua. Both churches belonged to the Cistercian monastery of Grünhain in the Ore Mountains, whose monks had introduced viticulture to the region. Around 1250, the rectangular chancel was expanded into a four-story rectangular defensive tower. St. Nicholas served as a fortified church. Remnants of the defensive wall and a round bastion have been preserved and were restored in 2015–2017. The roof was restored in 2019–2021. 

A particular gem is the “Leutra Rosette,” an eleven-lobed window on the east side, whose symbolism refers to the eleven disciples of Jesus on Easter morning. The entrance is located on the south side of the short nave—a Romanesque round-arched door with a door leaf and Gothic decorative hardware; symbols of defense are carved into the door jamb: a crossbow, a sword, and a bullet. Above the door, just below the eaves, is a head with a water spout, interpretations of which vary widely, ranging from a demon to St. Nicholas.

Inside is a baptismal font that may date from the 12th century. In 2022, two historic tombstones were moved from the southern exterior wall into the interior.

• Location: Leutra 16
• Open: 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Guided tours with K. Junghans

The Obermühle Leutra was likely built in the mid-18th century on the outskirts of Leutra at a bend in the Leutra River. It is likely that earlier structures existed on the site. In the 19th century, the watermill was expanded to include a residence and outbuildings. In 1900, mill owner Hugo Grimm had the mill’s machinery replaced. Mill operations ceased as early as 1960. After that, the site was used primarily for agricultural purposes. The condition of the mill complex itself deteriorated noticeably after the property was subdivided. After massive moisture infiltration occurred due to a lack of maintenance and protective measures, critical thresholds were reached, leading to significant structural deterioration. 

The revocation of its historic landmark status was discussed on several occasions. Since 2019, renovation and restoration work has been underway to convert the complex into residential use. The first apartments are already occupied. Unfortunately, further significant deterioration occurred during the construction work. The parts of the building that are now visible—both in the former half-timbered stories and in the brick-masonry upper stories—are therefore largely reconstructions, carried out based on deformation-adjusted measurements and corrected survey data. Nevertheless, it is clear that this project operates in a gray area of historic preservation.

• Location: Leutra 2
• Open: 3:00 p.m.: Guided tour with Mr. N. Spehr, SPEHR.Ingenieure-Planungsbüro (max. 30 people—advance registration required!)
• Meeting point: at the end of the street in front of the west gable of the main building (not in the courtyard)

Registration on September 8 and September 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on each day by calling 0049 3641 495141 or by emailing denkmalamt@jena.de.de by September 11,2026

Built in the 12th century, the hall church had been part of a commandery of the Teutonic Order since the 13th century. Additions made in the 15th century and structural alterations in the 16th and 17th centuries gave the church its present appearance. Traces of the individual construction phases are still very clearly visible today in features such as the plasterwork, joint patterns, window designs, ornamentation, and inscriptions. Inside, the church houses, among other things, a built-in chest dating from 1275, a winged altar from 1517, and the patron’s box featuring two coats of arms of former commanders of the Teutonic Order. In the nave, tomb slabs of other commanders can be seen, and epitaphs are located in the area of the first gallery. The renovation of the interior between 1991 and 1993 was based on findings from the restoration work. St. Mary’s Church features one of the oldest village church doors in Central Germany, dating to 1223.

• Location: Pfarrgasse
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • Guided tours on the church’s architectural history and renovation are available upon request with Mr. F. Bürglen, former churchwarden and local curator of the German Foundation for Monument Protection; 

  • Exhibition on the Teutonic Order and the history of Zwätzen as the seat of the Land Commander of Thuringia.

  • Coffee and cake will be served in the afternoon

The village of Laasan, first mentioned in a document in 1367, has largely retained its distinct village character. At its center stands the small yet imposing town hall and brewery. The town hall was built between 1615 and 1617 as an octagonal tower. The brewery was added in 1740, and the council chamber was inaugurated in 1802. The village retained its brewing rights from 1742 to 1946. The town hall was built around 1617 as an octagonal tower. The brewery was added in 1742, and the council chamber was inaugurated in 1802. The town’s brewing rights were in effect from 1742 to 1946. The town hall and brewery were renovated in 1998 in accordance with historic preservation guidelines. In 2004, the local association was honored with the Thuringian Historic Preservation Award for the renovation of the town hall and brewery. In 2019, a comprehensive facade renovation was carried out, including structural reinforcement. 

• Location: Laasan 25
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • Guided tours are available upon request with members of the Ortsverein Laasan e. V. association; 

  • Refreshments are available in the rooms of the Rats- und Brauhaus

  • Laasan 3/“Regina Foundation” (directly across the street) Open: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Open Studio” of the sculptor 

Built between 1937 and 1941, this bridge—at 794 meters the longest in the German highway program in Thuringia at the time—was constructed using rammed concrete, reinforced concrete, clinker brick, and natural stone. Its design is inspired by Roman aqueducts. A sense of monumentality characterizes both the architectural details and the structure as a whole. 

“As creations of a new era, the roads […] and their structures were intended to transcend all eras and borders as witnesses to the political and artistic will of their creators, and to endure even after their practical significance had long since been superseded—as memorials to this era, as monuments to a bygone golden age,”

wrote architect Friedrich Tamms in 1941, describing the project’s not only infrastructural but also political and ideological purpose. 

The highway program was also accompanied by very intensive landscape planning. As early as 1933, Fritz Todt brought Alwin Seifert onto his staff, appointing him in 1934 as an advisor on issues of landscape integration in highway construction. Seifert, who espoused a “metaphysically” grounded racial doctrine intended to add a nature-based religious dimension to National Socialism, gathered landscape architects, plant sociologists, and heritage preservationists around him. They worked as freelancers on the highway construction projects. The plans have often been preserved, though the landscaped areas—not only in Jena—have since been massively reshaped once again. 

• Location: Between Maua and Göschwitz 
• Open: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Hourly guided tours on the history of the bridge and highway construction around Jena up to the present day; last tour at approximately 1:00 PM

Access from the B 88 from Maua toward Jena; from the A4: Jena interchange—Göschwitz—B 88 toward Jena; turn right immediately after the Saaletal Bridge (limited parking available for cars)