Sightseeing in Weimar

At first glance, Weimar may seem like one big celebration of Goethe and Schiller. This is true to some extent, as Goethe especially played a dominant role in establishing Weimar as a cultural center. Weimar does not have large structures, cathedrals, or castles. The sights here are more subtle and it takes more time to appreciate them. However, even for visitors with no interest in German literature, a visit to Weimar can be enjoyable. Weimar is best explored on foot. Goetheplatz, with good bus connections, is a good place to start. From here, follow the crowds down the pedestrian mall to the classical sights of Weimar.

Theatherplatz

The Neo-Classical Deutsches Nationaltheater (German National Theater), Theaterplatz, is the third theater built on this site. The current building was erected in 1948, following the plans of the 1908 theater, which was destroyed during World War II. Goethe and Schiller were directors here; Liszt and Wagner conducted here. In 1919, after the collapse of the German Empire at the end of the First World War, the National Assembly met here to write Germany’s first democratic constitution. This ultraliberal constitution almost faltered in the early 1920s, but it was the consequences of the Depression that exposed its limitations, allowing Hitler to grab power.

In front of the theater is the Goethe- Schiller statue, showing the two literary giants in period dress. This 1857 work by Ernst Rietschel is arguably Germany’s most famous and most photographed statue. Copies of the statue are found in San Francisco, Cleveland, and Milwaukee.

The Bauhaus-Museum, Am Theaterplatz, is located, somewhat ironically, inside a Classical building. The museum exhibits around 500 items at a time from its vast Bauhaus collection, as well as a number of Art Nouveau works by Henri van de Velde and his followers. Admission is i4.

The adjacent Wittumspalast (Widow’s Palace), Am Theaterplatz, dates from the mid-18th century and was the town residence of Duchess Anna Amalia from 1775 until 1807. On display are living and reception rooms typical of that period. The main draw is the Tafelrundezimmer, a drawing room where Goethe and other luminaries met for social and intellectual discussions.

The Weimar Haus, Schillerstraße 16, is the first multimedia experience museum in Germany. It explains 5,000 years of local history in 30 minutes. English audio is available. It offers an introduction to Weimar and the important local characters, but at a price. It is not managed by the Weimar Classics Foundation.

The Schiller & Goethe Residences

Friederich von Schiller came to Weimar in 1799 and rented various properties before acquiring, in 1802, a yellow Baroque house on the Esplanade (since renamed Schillerstraße). After renovations, the house cost 5,000 talers, a large sum for the time, but he managed to pay off all his debt prior to his death in 1805. The house was converted into a museum, Schillers Wohnhaus (Schiller’s Residence), Schillerstraße 12.

Although the museum was created only in 1847, 20 years after his widow’s estate sold the property, family members returned much of the original furniture. The complete house is furnished and decorated as it was in Schiller’s time.

Two blocks away is Weimar’s most popular attraction , the Goethe- Nationalmuseum, Frauenplan 1, which encompasses Goethe’s house and a permanent exhibition. Although Goethe preferred living in his small cottage in the Park an der Ilm, his stature and status grew to such an extent that Duke Carl August bought him a large Baroque house in town. In 1792, Goethe moved into the house Am Frauenplan and lived there until his death in 1832. It remained in the hands of the Goethe family until it was opened as a permanent museum in 1885. The Goethes Wohnhaus (Goethe’s Residence) is furnished almost exactly as it was in Goethe’s days – he kept meticulous records and described parts of the house in detail in letters to friends and family. Many pieces are original. Goethe left an art collection of 26,511 pieces, 5,400 books, and some 22,000 scientific specimens; only a very small part is on display. The house is elegantly, although simply furnished. Bear Goethe’s observation in mind that excessively beautiful and over-decorated rooms are for people without their own thoughts or new ideas. Note the high desks – he preferred to write standing up.

In the adjacent houkse is a moderately interesting Permanent Exhibition on the members of the Weimar Classical period, 1759-1832. The exhibition consists of art works and items associated with the various artists who worked inWeimar during the period.