Museum 1806

About the museum

The Museum 1806 is located in the Jena district of Cospeda, within sight of the terrain where the Battle of Jena began on October 14, 1806. On that day the French army under Napoleon defeated the allied Prussian and Saxon troops at Jena and Auerstedt; the defeat shook Prussia and consolidated Napoleon's dominance on the continent.

The foundation was the small private collection of an innkeeper from the village. Later the city took over the museum, fundamentally reworked it, and reopened it in a new form in May 1999. It belongs to the Städtische Museen Jena (Jena municipal museums) as a branch, but is operated on behalf of the city by the Institut zur militärgeschichtlichen Forschung Jena 1806 e. V. The association, founded in 1996, ensures the opening hours, develops the exhibition further together with the Städtische Museen, and publishes the brochure "Lafette" at irregular intervals.

The permanent exhibition explains the causes, background, course, and consequences of the twin battles. Original objects, historic maps and pictures, eyewitness accounts, a terrain profile, and dioramas with tin figures make the events on the battlefield understandable. Further topics are the burdens of war for the population of the region, the lives of the soldiers, their uniforms, and the effect of the weapons of the time. The association also offers lectures, themed tours, and hikes across the battlefield, and has opened up the terrain with information boards and a signposted network of paths.

Highlights

• Original objects on the Battle of Jena and Auerstedt in 1806
• Dioramas with tin figures and terrain profile of the battlefield
• Uniforms, weapons, and eyewitness accounts
• Audio guide for the tour
• Guided hikes across the nearby battlefield

Permanent exhibitions

• Die Doppelschlacht bei Jena und Auerstedt 1806 – Causes, course, and consequences of the battle of October 14, 1806, illustrated with original objects, maps, eyewitness accounts, terrain profile, and tin-figure dioramas; also soldiers' everyday life, uniforms, weapons, and the burdens of war on the population.

Founded

1999

Operated by

Institut zur militärgeschichtlichen Forschung Jena 1806 e. V. (im Auftrag der Städtischen Museen Jena)

Admission & discounts

Admission prices for the Museum 1806 are not stated on the website.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Tin figures and historical literature, also for children, are sold in the museum.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit