Summary
Protected by low mountains, this Thuringian city is home to one of Germany’s ten oldest universities. Consequently, many prominent literary figures, intellectuals, and scientists have lived or spent time here over the last 560 years. Notable cultural and scientific figures include Goethe, Schiller, Nietzsche, Ernst Haeckel, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, and Johann Gottlieb Fichte.
Furthermore, the 19th-century instrument makers and opticians, such as Carl Zeiss and Otto Schott, have left a legacy that continues through global brands bearing their names. For an intriguing journey, a list titled Seven Wonders of Jena was compiled by local scholars in the 17th century. This historical list can serve as a unique itinerary, although some of the surviving “wonders” may seem peculiar.
Let’s explore the best things to do in Jena:
1. JenTower
Jena’s contemporary icon is the 144.5-meter skyscraper established as a research facility for VEB Carl Zeiss Jena.
The tower was constructed in the 1970s with a design by Hermann Henselmann, the leading architect of East Germany.
Today, the JenTower remains the tallest skyscraper in the former GDR states, with its observation platform at 128 meters accessible daily.
From this elevation, one can appreciate the overall splendor of Jena, particularly the picturesque wooded hills, which are stunning in autumn when the foliage transforms.
One level below, the tower has a restaurant for those who prefer a seated dining experience, potentially avoiding the observation platform fee.
2. Zeiss-Planetarium Jena
Given that you are in the birthplace of Carl Zeiss, a visit to the planetarium is essential.
This establishment holds the title of the oldest operational planetarium worldwide, having first opened on 18 July 1926. The architecture was a forerunner to Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes, utilizing a metal framework beneath its concrete exterior.
Although the venue is historic, the planetarium incorporates cutting-edge projection technology from Carl Zeiss, featuring a 4096 x 4096 pixel display that depicts stars and planets with remarkable clarity.
Numerous shows are created in-house and are complemented by an advanced 3D “SpatialSoundWave” system.
3. Botanischer Garten
Jena is home to Germany’s second oldest botanical garden, tracing its origins back to 1586 when a medicinal garden (hortus medicus) was established. The garden conformed to Carl Linnaeus’s new taxonomical standards from 1770 and became affiliated with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who significantly contributed to the establishment of the Jena Institute of Botany.
This era marked the garden’s peak; however, it suffered damage during the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806 and languished throughout much of the 19th century until a redesign in the 1870s.
Now under the management of the University of Jena, the garden boasts 12,000 plant species.
It features an arboretum housing 900 varieties of trees and shrubs, as well as stunning displays of roses, dahlias, and rhododendrons during the spring and summer seasons.
The garden also includes five greenhouses containing succulents, cacti, aquatic plants, and most intriguingly, the evolution house, which showcases ancient ferns and cycads.
4. Optical Museum Jena
If you are curious about how Jena became the epicenter of Germany’s optical instruments industry, this museum offers valuable insights.
The exhibits highlight the contributions of 19th-century pioneers such as Carl Zeiss, Otto Schott, and Ernst Abbe, tracing the evolution of lenses over eight centuries.
The museum’s origins are equally intriguing: Carl Zeiss began assembling microscopes in the 1800s, concurrently engaging in the repair of instruments produced by other manufacturers to stay abreast of technological advancements.
These repaired instruments now form an essential part of the collection.
The historical timeline includes a camera obscura and an array of magic lanterns and peep shows! Visitors will also discover the evolution of eyeglasses, telescopes, microscopes, and photographic lenses, witness holographs, learn about color science, and attend a presentation in the museum’s planetarium.
5. Stadtkirche St. Michael
As Jena’s principal Protestant church, it has been an integral part of the city’s spiritual life for over seven centuries.
Constructed in stages beginning in the 1380s, it was historically connected to a Cistercian monastery dating back to the High Middle Ages.
The choir was the first section completed in the late 14th century; however, the construction of the nave commenced only in 1474 and concluded in 1557. Martin Luther preached frequently at this church between 1524 and 1529, and the pulpit he utilized remains intact.
A bronze grave epitaph honoring Luther was cast in 1549 by a local bell founder, based on a portrait by Lucas Cranach the Elder.
One of Jena’s Seven Wonders is also located here: Known as Ara, this 3.5-meter-high vaulted passageway beneath the altar once connected to the neighboring Cistercian monastery.
6. Fuchsturm
As another of the Seven Wonders of Jena, Fuchsturm (Fox Tower) is the keep of a medieval castle situated on the slopes of the 400-meter Hausberg mountain, which overlooks the city from the east.
In the 10th century, this castle was the easternmost Ottonian court, owned by a series of ministeriales, influential nobles whose families often came from humble origins.
Avid hikers can ascend from Marktplatz in the city center to this picturesque viewpoint.
The tower has been maintained by a local preservation society for over 150 years, and a restaurant has operated in the adjacent building since 1868.
7. Stadtmuseum & Kunstsammlung
Located on the north wall of the historic marketplace, the Göhre is a half-timbered house with foundations dating back to the 1200s.
The building is named after Paul Göhre, who operated a wine tavern at this site at the turn of the century.
The city museum has seen multiple relocations before settling in this location in 1988. A historical timeline on the stairway chronicles Jena’s first mention in the 9th century through to1850. Among the curiosities displayed is Draco, an unusual 17th-century sculpture crafted from papier-mâché, wire, and animal bones.
At the time, Draco was also featured on the list of Seven Wonders! Visitors should also look for the Jena Wartburg flag from 1816, the first occasion the German colors of black, red, and gold appeared on a single banner.
8. Napoleonstein
Military historians can venture onto the slopes of Windknollen, located north of Jena, where the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt transpired on 14 October 1806. While the trek and the view from this verdant hill may be splendid, that day over 210 years ago was marked by tragedy.
More than 10,000 lives were lost on this battlefield.
This Prussian defeat ultimately resulted in the Kingdom of Prussia being annexed by the French Empire.
Nine days later, General Louis-Nicolas Davout’s French forces marched into Berlin beneath the Brandenburg Gate.
The stone features a quote regarding Germany’s sentiments towards Napoleon by the author and historian Golo Mann, along with distances in kilometers to various Napoleonic battlefields including Austerlitz, Cairo, Leipzig, and Waterloo.
9. Phyletisches Museum
This institution focused on phylogenetics was established over a century ago by the renowned biologist Ernst Haeckel.
The foundation stone was laid on August 28, 1907, coinciding with Goethe’s birthday, and the museum’s Art Nouveau architecture has granted it listed status.
The museum’s permanent exhibition straddles the line between art and science.
The Medusa Hall, for example, features exquisite frescoes depicting marine life painted in 1908, alongside artistically crafted showcases that provide insights into the phylogenetic development of organisms, evolutionary theory, and the underlying genetics.
In-depth studies document the rapid spread of HIV in the 1980s and explore how sexual selection impacts the behavior and appearance of various species.
10. Schillers Gartenhaus
This museum preserves the residence and garden that belonged to the playwright and national figure Friedrich Schiller at the close of the 18th century.
Schiller chose this residence for its expansive garden, as he was experiencing health issues and was advised to seek fresh air.
During his time here, he composed one of his most acclaimed works, Wallenstein, along with parts of Maria Stuart and The Maid of Orleans.
The oval stone table positioned under an arbor, where Schiller and his friend Goethe would engage in discourse, remains in its original location from more than two centuries ago.
There are additional intriguing anecdotes, such as Friedrich’s wife Charlotte maintaining a separate bedroom due to his habit of suddenly awakening in the night when inspiration struck.
11. Johannisfriedhof
A city that boasts numerous distinguished residents like Jena is likely to have a number of notable graves.
At the Johannisfriedhof, adjacent to the Botanischer Garten, one can locate the final resting place of Carl Zeiss.
The cemetery itself is remarkably beautiful: Since no new interments have occurred at Johannisfriedhof since 1948, the expansive pathways, century-old trees, and ivy-clad mausoleums have transformed into a public park over the past forty years.
Other noteworthy graves include Caroline von Wolzogen (sister-in-law to Schiller) and the esteemed physician Johann Christian Stark the Elder, who provided care for both Goethe and Schiller.
12. Schott Glasmuseum
The chemist and glass technologist Otto Schott played a pivotal role in advancing optical instruments during the 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1884, he co-founded the Glastechnisches Laboratorium Schott & Genossen, which has since evolved into the multinational glass manufacturer Schott AG. His most significant contribution came in 1893 with the invention of borosilicate glass, offering enhanced resistance to chemicals, heat, and sudden temperature variations.
Visitors can delve into the life of this brilliant scientist and inventor by exploring Schott’s opulent villa, where he lived and maintained his laboratory.
The exhibit provides insights into his life, glassmaking techniques, and how his breakthroughs contributed to the development of increasingly advanced telescopes and microscopes.
13. Imaginata
While interactive science museums for children can now be found worldwide, one of the pioneering institutions opened in a decommissioned substation in Jena in 1995. Over 20 years later, it continues to showcase more than 100 interactive experiments and exhibits, creatively engaging young minds with mathematics, physics, and optical illusions.
Imagination is crucial in education, leading children through imaginative scenarios such as riding a bike on a tightrope, experiencing a one-person rollercoaster, and lying inside a grand piano.
14. Romantikerhaus
At the close of the 18th century, Jena became a hub for a generation of authors, poets, literary critics, scientists, and philosophers who positioned it at the forefront of intellectual thought in Europe.
This museum embodies the spirit of those early Romantics, highlighting the work of the publisher and patron Carl Friedrich Ernst Frommann, whose social circle included Goethe.
The museum occupies the residence of philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte during his tenure lecturing at the university in the 1790s.
Among the museum’s highlights is the experimental cabinet created by chemist and philosopher Johann Wilhelm Ritter, reflecting the early Romantics’ commitment to science and the intricate relationships between art, philosophy, and science.
15. Thüringer Rostbratwurst
As you wander through Jena, the aroma of grilling sausages fills the air.
This is particularly true on market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays), though “Grillteufel” food stands are typically found throughout the city on any given day.
Authentic Thüringer Rostbratwurst can measure up to 20 centimeters and is prepared over charcoal.
In contrast to a frankfurter, it offers a flavorful experience, heavily seasoned with garlic, caraway, and marjoram.
Served within a bun and topped with mustard, it represents a delicious local delicacy.
Moreover, as a university town in East Germany, Jena offers excellent value for food and snacks.
