Schillers Gartenhaus

About the museum

In 1797 Friedrich Schiller acquired a garden property on the Leutra stream just outside Jena's old town and spent the summers there with his family. In 1798 he had a small tower house built in the garden, the Gartenzinne, with a bath on the lower level and a study above. Here he worked on “Wallenstein” and on ballads, among other things; in the evenings he met Goethe at the stone garden table, and Fichte, Schelling and Tieck were also guests.

After Schiller's death, the state of Weimar bought the property in 1811 for the university observatory. Ernst Abbe lived in the house as its director from 1878 to 1886 and had extensions and a veranda added; in 1881 he met the glass chemist Otto Schott here – a key moment for Jena's optical industry.

The garden house belongs to the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität. After a comprehensive restoration from 1987 to 1989, it was opened as a museum. In the lower rooms, an exhibition covers Schiller's years in Jena, while the upper floors re-create the family's home, partly with original furniture. The garden was restored according to a plan from 1799; the kitchen stands as a separate building in a corner of the garden.

Today the house is also a venue for the university's readings, lectures and symposia, as well as for cultural education with school classes.

Highlights

• Re-created living quarters of Friedrich and Charlotte Schiller
• Gartenzinne tower of 1798 with Schiller's study
• Stone table where Schiller held conversations with Goethe
• Garden laid out according to a plan from 1799
• Readings and lectures organized by the university

Operated by

Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena

Director

Helmut Hühn

Admission & discounts

Tree sponsors get free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Historic building with barriers; according to the museum, it strives to handle them creatively and offers guided tours in sign language.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

"KinderGartenhaus" program for kindergarten groups (ages 4 and up, up to 15 children): exploring the house and garden as well as a dress-up game based on Schiller's ballad "Der Handschuh" (The Glove); also outside opening hours by arrangement.

Getting there & parking

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

Amenities & dining

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

Events & venue rental

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

Plan your visit