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 | In the shoes of Goethe and Schiller |
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Who doesn’t know Goethe’s “Faust” and Schiller’s “Wilhelm Tell”, big literature that went around the world? But who knows the city they both lived and worked in? Most of the time called a “worldly village”, Weimar is not really well-known because of its size. Nevertheless, it has and always had a big name. Situated in the “green heart” of Germany this small city is loaded with history. Here, the esprit of the “Weimarer Republic”, of the classical time and the Bauhaus era is still very much alive. Beside Goethe and Schiller, writers and artists as Bach, Cranach, Nietzsche, Liszt and Feininger have lived in Weimar and created a unique atmosphere that can still be experienced today. More than 22 historic houses and literary sites link them to each other. Nearly in every street and behind every corner something reveals a mutual and ambiguous part of Weimar’s history.
Take Goethe for example. You can follow his traces by visiting the house at the Frauenplan 1 where he lived for nearly 50 years. Not only his living and working rooms or his library can be viewed but a permanent exhibition is depicting Goethe’s life as well as remembering the people who have shaped the city as it is today. In the spacious Park an der Ilm Goethe had his garden house. Initially, Goethe himself had a great impact on the design of the park which is characterized by the style of numerous sight axes, bridges and statues. During summer time the park attracts a lot of students, locals and tourists. Schiller’s residential house in the Schillerstraße, should also be a must on every to-see list. Partially originally equipped the house offers an insight into his life and work. Likewise the Goethe-National Museum, Schiller’s house hosts a museum and a permanent exhibition about his life, works and effects. Apart from musical and literary personalities royal people had big impact on Weimar’s cultural life. By turning the “green castle” into a library Duchess Anna Amalia for instance contributed to the preservation of a unique ensemble of books, art and architecture.
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Weimar also possesses beautiful castles that were actually built as summer residences for the dukes. The pompous city castle for example is a three floored baroque castle in which the most important German art collection is exhibited. With its ballrooms, impressive staircase and its enormous gallery it belongs to the most beautiful castles in whole Europe. As some other German cities Weimar has also a castle that is named “Belvedere”. The elegant pleasure palace which was built for Duke Ernst August consists of an almost quadratic main apparatus with a big cupola and a rich rococo interior. A classical-romantic park surrounds the Belvedere which presents a well-preserved collection of art and handy craft including porcelain, glasses and fine furniture. For all lovers of design the Bauhaus-Museum is the perfect place to gain an insight into the beginnings of this famous world-wide known and recognized design school. More than 500 pieces from teachers and students can be viewed. The donation “Weimarer Klassik” which has a lot of impact on the cultural life in Weimar possesses a big part of the Bauhaus collection.
Not a very pleasant part of history is shown by the Buchenwald Memorial which lies about 10 km outside of the city centre. Between 1937 and 1945 more than 250.000 people were kept over there in most inhuman circumstances. Approximately 50.000 people did not survive the camp. Visitors can view the buildings of the former camp including the gate building with its arrest cells, the watch towers, the crematorium, the chamber buildings and disinfection as well as the cemetery. Different permanent exhibitions plainly depict the atrocities of WW II.
For all those who cannot satisfy their cultural appetite just by having a sightseeing tour are offered a high number of theatre, movie and musical performances. The biggest theatre is without doubt the National Theatre which has more than 600 performances a year. But be prepared a performance of Goethe’s Faust Part I and II might take up to six hours! Being located right on the Theaterplatz the theatre is the starting and meeting point for tourists. The smaller theatres, which are highly appreciated, present a rather alternative programme compared to the big conventional one. To cut a long story short Weimar belongs to the treasures of Germany and is always worth a visit. If you want to find out more, visit the tobook.com city guide where you find detailed information on all attractions, museums, theatres, cafés and restaurants in Weimar.
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