Ilmenau

Ilmenau – the Goethe and university town

Ilmenau, with almost 40,000 inhabitants, stands for: the nature of the Thuringian Forest and an attractive old town, the campus of the Technical University as a research centre and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe as probably the most famous visitor. Immerse yourself in the eventful history and get to know and love Ilmenau through Goethe’s eyes. Go on a discovery tour through our historic old town and stroll along the promenades, which date back to the time of the cold-water spa. Do you want to get up high? Then enjoy the peace and quiet and the breathtaking view from our 861 metre high local mountain over the Thuringian Forest and the city with the campus on the Great Pond.

Public guided tours from May to October

Historical city walk through Ilmenau

Our city guides invite you to discover historical monuments, famous personalities and endearing details of our beautiful city. The city tour begins at the historic market square with the Amtshaus and town hall, leads along Marktstraße to St Jakobuskirche with the famous Walcker organ, via Spitalgasse to Wetzlarer Platz and the unique liquid chronometer and weather pillar. In Hofmannstraße you will learn about the sad history of the Jewish community in Ilmenau. The tour continues to Apothekerplatz with its fountain and allegory at the former “Handelshaus”.

The tour ends in Lindenstraße at the Wenzelschen Haus: 
Tuesday 11:00 and Friday 16:00
Meeting point: 
Ilmenau-Information | Am Markt 1 | 98693 Ilmenau |
Distance from our hotel in Oberhof: approx. 30 km

Mask tour in Manebach

You will be shown the history of the world-famous mask production, which goes back over a hundred years.

Date: Wednesday, 16:00 hrs
Meeting: House of the Guest Manebach | Kalter Markt 5a | 98693 Ilmenau

Special costumed tour: Historical city walk with Corona Schröter

With the Schröter in search of historical traces. Corona Schröter was a celebrated and sought-after singer at the Weimar court and was the first actress to portray Goethe’s Iphigenia. She died in Ilmenau in 1802.

Dates: every 4th Sunday, 2.00 pm
Meeting point: Ilmenau Information Centre | Am Markt 1 | 98693 Ilmenau

The Goethe Museums in Ilmenau: Museum Jagdhaus Gabelbach and GoetheStadtMuseum

The Jagdhaus Gabelbach Museum is an insider tip for Goethe connoisseurs, nature lovers and families. The exhibition on the ground floor vividly illustrates the transformation of the forest around Ilmenau’s local mountain – the Kickelhahn – over the last 250 years right up to the present day. Using media stations and in some cases unique exhibits, such as animal and plant specimens and historical hunting equipment, visitors can learn fascinating details about the diverse functions of the forest.

On the upper floor, the stately banqueting hall and the historically furnished living rooms convey an impressive picture of the former furnishings of the house. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s numerous stays and his work here gave him plenty of inspiration for his poetic, painterly and natural history work. One of his most famous poems, “Über allen Gipfeln ist Ruh …”, was written on the Kickelhahn.

But why did the prince of poets end up in Ilmenau of all places? The answer can be found in the GoetheStadtMuseumIlmenau: as a ducal official, he organised the town’s disrupted tax system and revived the copper and silver mining industry on behalf of the duke. While carrying out his official duties, he often stayed in the ducal rooms of the Amtshaus.

The original floorboards on which Goethe walked can still be found in the historic parlour. As a hands-on museum, the GoetheStadtMuseum offers audio stations, films and tactile showcases with which the individual themes can be explored in more detail. The most popular attraction for children is the walk-through mine tunnel with knocking sounds.