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Park · Weimar, Turíngia
Park an der Ilm
An English-style garden of 48 hectares along the Ilm river, created from 1776 with Goethe's involvement. It features the Römisches Haus, the Shakespeare monument and Goethe's garden house.
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 Park an der Ilm
Park an der Ilm stretches roughly 1.6 km along the Ilm river, from the Stadtschloss in the north to Oberweimar in the south, covering a total of 48 hectares. Its transformation into an English-style landscape garden began in 1776, and Goethe was closely involved in the park's design.
On the east slope is Goethe's garden house, with the stone staircase he had cut. On the opposite bank stands the Römisches Haus, built between 1791 and 1798 as Duke Carl August's summer house. The Borkenhäuschen, a small hut used by the duke as a retreat, is the oldest element of the park that survives today.
In the Dux-Garten is the Shakespeare monument from 1904, the first on the European continent dedicated to the playwright. Near the entrance to the park grotto there is a monument to Franz Liszt, who lived in Weimar.
The park is part of the World Heritage site of Weimar Classicism and is open to the public; there is no entrance fee.
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
1 to 2 hours for a complete walk, plus time for the house-museums.
Best time
From May to September, when the trees are full and the days are long. In autumn, in October, the leaves change color. Avoid late afternoon in winter, when it gets dark early.
How to get there
The north entrance is next to the Stadtschloss and the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, about a 5-minute walk from the Markt.
Tip
Do a circuit: go down one bank to Goethe's garden house and return along the other, passing the Römisches Haus. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are dirt paths and gentle uphill sections.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Park an der Ilm
Do you have to pay to enter the park?
No, park entry is free. The house museums inside it, such as Goethe's garden house, have their own admission fees.
How long does it take to cross the park?
The park is about 1.6 km long. A return circuit along both banks takes 1 to 2 hours on foot.
What is there to see in the park besides Goethe's house?
The Römisches Haus, the Borkenhäuschen, the monument to Shakespeare and the monument to Liszt, as well as views of the Ilm river.