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House museum · Weimar, Turíngia
Goethe-Nationalmuseum
The house on the Frauenplan where Goethe lived for about 50 years and died in 1832, with original furniture, collections, a private library and the permanent exhibition about the writer.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Goethe-Nationalmuseum
The Baroque house on Frauenplan, also called Goethes Wohnhaus, was the home of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe for about 50 years. He rented part of it in 1782, moved in permanently in 1792 and was given the house by Duke Carl August in 1807. Goethe died there in March 1832. The house is part of the World Heritage Site of the Classicism of Weimar.
At the front are the reception and display rooms, such as the Gelbe Zimmer and the Junozimmer, decorated to the writer’s taste. At the back are the study, the private library with about 5,400 titles, and the room where he died. The collections of porcelain, minerals and artworks show Goethe’s interest in science and the arts.
The Goethe-Nationalmuseum, founded in 1885, comprises the house, the garden with the service buildings and an exhibition building. The permanent exhibition Lebensfluten – Tatensturm presents Goethe as a witness to the transformations of the world around 1800.
The house is administered by the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, the foundation that cares for the city’s main museums.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1h30 to 2 hours for the house and the permanent exhibition.
Best time
Right at opening, to see the rooms with fewer people. Closed on Mondays; check winter and summer opening hours before you go.
How to get there
It is on Frauenplan, in the historic centre, about a 5-minute walk from the Markt and the Theaterplatz. From Weimar station it’s about a 20-minute walk or a few minutes by bus to Goetheplatz.
Tip
Take the audio guide or join a short guided tour of the house when available. The rooms are small and visitor flow is controlled on busy days. A restoration project for the house is planned; check whether it is open on your travel dates.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Goethe-Nationalmuseum
Are the house's furniture original?
Yes, the house preserves Goethe's furnishings and collections, including his study and private library.
How much time should you allow?
Between 1.5 and 2 hours for the house and the permanent exhibition in the adjoining building.
Is it open on Mondays?
No, the museum is closed on Mondays. Confirm opening hours, which vary between winter and summer.
Is there an audio guide?
Yes, the foundation offers an audio guide. Ask at the ticket office about versions in other languages.