Residential town of Gotha
Not far from the Thuringian Forest and the Hainich National Park is a town where Ernst the Pious once ruled over his Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.
The residential city of Gotha lives from its eventful history and still combines early Baroque splendour with modern culture. The Baroque Universe Gotha with Friedenstein Palace and the Ducal Museum is an impressive cultural centre of attraction. In addition, numerous other historical sites invite amateur historians, art lovers and the curious to immerse themselves in the city’s history. However, the royal seat of Gotha not only shines in the light of bygone times, but also has a modern and diverse cultural scene to offer, which continues to delight its guests with festivals, concerts and exhibitions.
Distance from our hotel in Oberhof: approx. 30 km
Blick auf Gotha - Jacob Schröter
More about Gotha
Gotha adelt - Tourist-Information & Shop
Hauptmarkt 40, 99867 Gotha
Telefon: 0 36 21 / 510 450
E-Mail: tourist-info@gotha-adelt.de
Gotha’s baroque universe
- 1FriedensteinCastle bringspast centuries to life like few other castles or museums. In the middle of the magnificent park, the imposing palace with its diverse historical chambers and original furnishings, the baroque Ekhof Theatre and unique collections of art, nature and history have been preserved almost unchanged. Opposite is one of the most important art museums in Thuringia, the Ducal Museum, a prestigious venue for a wide variety of collections. In addition to one of the oldest Egyptian collections in Europe, it houses antiquities, rare graphic art, precious Japanese lacquer art, sculptures by Houdon and de Vries as well as a rich collection of paintings by Cranach, Rubens and C. D. Friedrich, among others.
Contact & opening hours:
Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein
Schloss Friedenstein, Schlossplatz 1, 99867 Gotha
Telefon: 0 36 21 / 823 420 0
E-Mail: service@stiftung-friedenstein.de
Residenzstadt Gotha - Thomas Walkling - www.aerophoto.de
As a counterpart to the “Baroque Universe Gotha” with its antique and classical exhibits, the KunstForum Gotha is an artistic gem in the old town centre with modern art, including painting, photography, sculpture and installations.
The KunstForum Gotha sees itself not only as a platform for sophisticated works in a special ambience, but also as a place of mutual inspiration for artists and art enthusiasts.
Each exhibition is complemented by accompanying events. Concerts, painting and photography workshops and artist talks, for example, build a bridge between art and sensory perception. The focus is primarily on regional artists, but national artists and other co-operations are also very welcome here.
ArtForum Gotha
Querstraße 13-15, 99867 Gotha
Telefon: 0 36 21 / 738 703 0
E-Mail: kunstforum@kultourstadt.de
www.kunstforum-gotha.de
KunstForum Gotha - Marcus Holland
Casemates
- 1FriedensteinCastleis surrounded by one of the strongest Baroque fortifications in central Germany – the casemates.Between 1643 and 1654, Duke Ernst the Pious had Friedenstein Castle built on the foundations of the former Grimmenstein as a residence for his Duchy of Saxe-Gotha. The casemates were built to protect this residence – fortunately, however, they never had to prove their effectiveness. Later, the now obsolete fortifications were removed above ground and levelled in favour of completing the palace park. In 2003, a good 300 metres of the north-east bastion, which give a good idea of the overall design of the complex due to its symmetrical structure, were uncovered by hand and made accessible to the public. On a tour down to a depth of 14 metres, visitors can experience over 350 years of history at first hand.
- 2Note: constant annual temperature of 8 degrees; pre-booking is recommended due to the limited number of participants
Contact & opening hours:
Casemates entrance
Elsa-Brändström-Weg (im Schlosspark)
Telefon: 0 36 21 / 510 450
E-Mail: tourist-info@gotha-adelt.de
www.gotha-adelt.de
Kasematten - Jacob Schröter
If you want to immerse yourself in animal worlds in Gotha, you should take a trip to the zoo. Not far from the city centre and surrounded by forests and hiking trails, it is home to over 600 animals.
In addition to native species such as donkeys and goats, you can also marvel at numerous exotic animals. Steppe endos, meerkats and wolves, for example, clearly feel at home here.
No wonder, as the zoo impresses with its natural green spaces and unspoilt nature, into which the enclosures blend harmoniously. For a short break in between, the café run by the Gotha Zoo Friends’ Association invites you to linger over food and drink. There is also an adventure playground and a petting enclosure for younger guests.
Gotha Zoo
Tierpark-Gotha - Sebastian Pohl
Contact & opening hours:
Töpfleber Weg 2, 99867 Gotha
Telefon: 0 36 21 / 510 460
E-Mail: info@tierpark-gotha.de
www.tierpark-gotha.de
