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Palace · Weimar, Turíngia
Stadtschloss Weimar
Former palace of the dukes of Weimar, rebuilt after the 1774 fire with Goethe leading the work. The restored east wing houses the permanent exhibition Weimarer Klassik.
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 Stadtschloss Weimar
The Stadtschloss, the city palace, was the residence of the dukes and grand dukes of Saxe-Weimar. On the site there had been a medieval castle with a moat, mentioned since the late 10th century. The palace caught fire several times; after the great fire of 1774, Duke Carl August set up a reconstruction commission led by Goethe, and the architects created neoclassical interiors such as the staircase and the ballroom.
The west wing houses the Dichterzimmer, rooms created at the initiative of Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna in tribute to Wieland, Herder, Schiller and Goethe. In the palace's former chapel, Johann Sebastian Bach premiered several works between 1708 and 1717, while he was working in Weimar.
The restored east wing holds the permanent exhibition Weimarer Klassik, which shows how the court used the memory of Goethe, Schiller and their contemporaries. In the foyer area, free to enter, an exhibition tells the history of the palace. The Bastille, next to the tower, is the oldest part of the complex, and the Park an der Ilm begins immediately beside it.
The palace is part of the World Heritage site of Weimar Classicism. Parts of the complex may be under renovation; check what is open.
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
Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for the east wing exhibition.
Best time
Closed on Mondays. Guided tours of the Dichterzimmer and the chapel take place on specific dates; check the schedule.
How to get there
It is on Burgplatz, at the northern tip of Park an der Ilm, about a 5-minute walk from the Markt and the Duchess Anna Amalia Library.
Tip
Buy tickets from the foundation's online shop, which may use timed entries. Combine your visit with a walk through Park an der Ilm, which starts beside the palace.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Stadtschloss Weimar
Is the whole palace open to visitors?
Not necessarily. The east wing houses the Weimarer Klassik exhibition, and other parts may be under restoration. Check what is open before you go.
What are the Dichterzimmer?
They are rooms in the west wing dedicated to Wieland, Herder, Schiller and Goethe, created in the 19th century. They are usually seen on a guided tour.
What is the palace's connection to Goethe?
Goethe led the commission to rebuild the palace after the 1774 fire.