Schiller & Goethe in Jena

Schiller's ten years in Jena were among the most productive of his life. In Jena he became friends with Goethe, after a period of reserve and uncertainty in their relationship. A conversation about philosophy and art on 20 July 1794 brought the two poets closer to one another. Later they wrote ballads together in Schiller's summer house and, inspired by their constant exchange of ideas, Schiller wrote "Wallenstein". When he married Charlotte von Lengefeld in the small village church at Wenigenjena in February 1790, his private happiness was complete.

Goethe was thrilled by Jena's delightful location. He returned again and again, often for weeks and months at a time. All in all, he spent almost five years of his life here.
Goethe and Schiller's friendship and working relationship began in Jena. At the end of a meeting of the Natural Science Society in 1794, the two men started talking about whether metamorphosis was an experience or an idea. They both went on to write some of the world's greatest literature.

Schiller's summer house

Schillers Gartenhaus
Schillergäßchen 1, 07743 Jena

As well as the house where Schiller lived, visitors can also see the garden house and the kitchen house. The garden house is where Schiller wrote "Wallenstein", parts of the "Mary Stuart" and "Maid of Orleans" plays and many ballads.
The garden still has the old, oval stone table where Schiller and Goethe often sat and exchanged thoughts.

Schiller Church

Schlippenstraße 30, 07749 Jena

The church where Friedrich Schiller and Charlotte von Lengefeld were married in 1790.

Friedrich Schiller University, Jena (1558)

Founded by Johann Friedrich I, the university now has over 20,000 students and is the largest university in Thuringia. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and many innovative approaches to research and teaching.

Goethe memorial

Fürstengraben 26, 07743 Jena

A small memorial in the former superintendent's house in the botanical gardens recalls Goethe's work as a natural scientist and minister of state.

Griesbach summer house

Am Planetarium 7, 07743 Jena

Built for the theologian Johann Jakob Griesbach, this summer house saw frequent gatherings of important figures in German Classicism. Maria Pavlovna later acquired the property - with Goethe's help - to use as a summer residence. To thank Goethe for educating her daughters, she erected the world's first memorial to him in the park.

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