Schloss Friedenstein

Current exhibitions

About the museum

Duke Ernst I of Saxony-Gotha, called 'the Pious,' had the mighty four-wing complex built starting in 1643 during the Thirty Years' War on the remains of the destroyed Grimmenstein castle; by 1654 construction was essentially complete. The programmatic name 'Friedenstein' (Stone of Peace) expressed the longing for the war's end. Under one roof, the castle united the ducal residence and court representation, administration, church, library, archive, and ducal collections.

Because the complex was generously designed, it was barely expanded in subsequent centuries and never destroyed. Later dukes refurbished the apartments in Baroque, Rococo, and Classicist styles. From 1681, the palace theater in the west tower had wooden machinery for quick scene changes. Duke Ernst II made it Germany's first standing court theater with a permanent ensemble in 1775; it was directed by actor Conrad Ekhof, for whom the theater is now named.

The art chamber, founded by Ernst I, is the nucleus of all Gotha collections. Today the Friedenstein Foundation Gotha displays the historical state and festival rooms of the dukes with art chamber and coin cabinet in the north and west wings, and in the west tower the Ekhof Theater with a multimedia exhibition on its stage technology. The building is owned by the Foundation of Thuringian Castles and Gardens, which is currently undertaking comprehensive renovation; some west wing rooms are therefore currently only virtually accessible. The Museum of Nature's natural history exhibition is also in the castle, in the west tower.

Highlights

• Festival hall and audience chamber of the duke in Baroque apartments
• Art chamber with works in ivory, amber, silver, and enamel
• Gilded silver elephant from the workshop of Johann Melchior Dinglinger
• A hat belonging to Napoleon I
• Ekhof Theater with functional 17th-century stage machinery

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Räume und Kunstkammer – Tour through four ducal apartments from Baroque to Classicism with festival hall, art chamber, and coin cabinet.
• Hinter den Kulissen – Das Ekhof-Theater neu erleben – Multimedia exhibition in the west tower showing with animations and films how the Baroque stage machinery functions and how theater was performed at the Gotha court.

Operated by

Friedenstein Stiftung Gotha (Eigentümer: Stiftung Thüringer Schlösser und Gärten)

Director

Dr. Tobias Pfeifer-Helke (Stiftungsdirektor)

Admission & discounts

The individual 'Friedenstein' ticket is valid for exhibitions in the castle including west tower, Ekhof Theater, BROMACKER lab, and 'Animals in the Tower.' Free admission includes ICOM members, German Museum Association, and German Association for Art History members, as well as weimar card plus holders. Tickets for guided casemate tours available at city tourist office. Group tour 60 € plus admission (max. 30 people).

Accessibility

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

Castle museum and art chamber accessible by elevator; tours largely barrier-free; historical rooms have minor obstacles like steps, thresholds, and stairs. Ekhof Theater only partially accessible via mobile ramp. Museum guide and audioguide in easy language; tours in easy language and touch tours for blind and visually impaired by prior arrangement. Certified in 'Reisen für Alle' program (2017, renewed 2020).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly: not available

Youth audioguide, holiday programs, and creative courses during school vacations plus museum education programs for school classes; castle mouse Casimir guides children through collections. Strollers not permitted in castle: stored at ticket office; free baby carriers for infants.

Getting there & parking

Via A4, exit Gotha, and B 247 into city; for navigation enter 'Schlossplatz 1, Gotha' or Parkallee as destination.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Ticket office and shop in castle's north wing.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Rental via Foundation of Thuringian Castles and Gardens (Castle Administration Schloss Friedenstein, Tel. 03621 5129-334, schlossverwaltung@schlossfriedenstein.de); venues include Ekhof Theater, and for weddings the Duchess's anteroom in north wing.

Plan your visit