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Eisenach

Eisenach; City of the Wartburg Castle

Eisenach, the small city located in central Germany, is situated in the middle of the Thuringian forest that boasts a most picturesque and historical experience for anyone. This city attracts thousands of national and international travellers every year to its green countryside and historical buildings, most notably the Wartburg Castle. This grand, three story castle, known as the gateway to the Thuringian forest, is closely connected with figures of great stature such as: protestant reformer Martin Luther, famed author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, as well as the charitable St. Elisabeth. The city of Eisenach, under the watch of this grand building, is no less rich in history which is still preserved today in the charm of this quaint German city. Following are historical points of interest located in Eisenach, Germany.

Karlsplatz

Located near the train station are Karlsplatz and the Nikolai gate. This is the oldest market place in town. This city square was formerly home to jugglers and street performers. Today it still holds a market every Saturday, a tradition that dates back to 1368. The Nikolai gate, attached to the St. Nikolai church, is the only surviving city gate in Eisenach and the oldest Romanesque style gate in Thuringia.

Jakobsplan

This city courtyard was named after a chapel destroyed by fire in the middle ages. Today there is a monument to St. George in the center of the square. Jakobsplan includes the Bechtolsheim palace, parts of the old town wall (including one of the lookout towers) and the Goethe Garden.

Marktplatz

The current location of the Eisenach town hall is on the Marktplatz. This marketplace features an elaborate fountain displaying a guilded St. George conquering the dragon. The fountain, dedicated to the town’s patron saint, was designed by the town’s architect, Hans Leonardt, in 1549.

Frauenplan

This small courtyard gets it’s name from the church called “Our dear woman” that belonged to the knights that were located at this high point of the city. The church was strategically demolished in 1306. Frauenplan is todays location of the Bachhaus and Bach memorial.

Stadtschloss

Constructed on the north end of the Market place between 1742 and 1745 is the Stadtschloss, or city palace. This palace was built on the plans of Gottfried Heinrich Krohne, first architect of the duke Ernest-Auguste Saxe-Weimar. Later J.W. von Goethe frequently stayed here as a minister duke starting in 1777. Today the Stadtschloss houses the Thuringian museum that displays several artistic and historical artifacts from Thuringia.

Rathaus

This former wine cellar came to hold the Eisenach Council in 1596 on the Marktplaz. There was a fire which destroyed the building in 1636 but it was rebuilt in 1641. The southern part of the complex fell to a bombing raid in 1945 during WW2. It was later renovated in 1996 and it now houses the city administration offices and is connected to the Sparkasse Bank.

Maison Creutznacher and Residenzhaus

This early Renaissance building, featuring a tower with spiral stairs, was formerly owned by a medieval landgrave. It was constructed after 1500 and was later connected with another 16th century house behind it. This house was owned by the wealthy merchant Creutznacher. Today, the Creutznacher house holds the tourism office of Eisenach.

Lutherhaus

The Lutherhaus is one of the oldest remaining buildings in Eisenach built in a half timber style. Martin Luther is said to have lived here as a pupil during his school days in Eisenach from 1498-1501. Currently, this house is a museum featuring a multimedia exhibit. The museum is split into five parts where one can see a depiction of Luther’s life and times as well as his teachings.

Monument to Bach

The monument was constructed in 1884 by Adolf von Donndorf.. It can be located on the Frauenplan next to the Bachhaus. The monument shows Bach wearing a wig and a chapel master dress.

Bachhaus

The Bachhaus was the first museum world-wide to be dedicated to the life and work of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1907. The house is over 600 years old and is said to be the house Bach was born in on March 21, 1685. Today, the museum holds several artifacts and a variety of 18th and 19th century instruments. Tours are available in German and English and the Bachhaus also hosts its own concert series performed by guest musicians.

“Goldener Löwe” memorial site

On August 7, 1869 the Social Democratic Worker’s Party held their founding congress here at the memorial site. Currently there are three permanent exhibitions that can be seen as well as an archival library available to visitors. The August Bebel Society offers lectures and seminars on topics of historical and current political interest.

Reuter Wagner Museum

Built by Ludwig Bohnstedt between 1866 and 1868, this neo-Renaissance house was the home of Fritz Reuter, a famous poet of the Low German dialect. After his death his home was acquired by the town council. Currently the museum houses the second-largest Richard Wagner exhibition in the world.

Kartaus Garden

This attractive garden, consecrated to St.Elisabeth, was developed in 1380. In 1700 it became a royal kitchen garden and during the time of Goethe was changed into a park of natural beauty. Today visitors are attracted by its variety of trees, manicured paths and flower beds.

Narrow House

This house is believed to be the smallest half-timbered house in Germany. It was built before 1750 and is only 2.05 meters wide. Inside visitors can view a small variety of pictures, sculptures and historical furniture.

Luther Monument

Located on Karsplatz is a monument dedicated to Martin Luther. This monument was designed by Adolf von Donndorf and was dedicated on May 4, 1895 on the 374th anniversary of Luther’s arrival to Wartburg Castle. The monument features a larger-than-life Martin Luther on a pedestal that depicts several events in his life leading up to his stay in Eisenach as well as the title of one of his most famous hymns, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.”

Nikolai Church

The Nikolai church, located on Karsplatz, is attached to the former city gate and served as the parish for the Benedictine convent located in the area. This triple-naved basilica was built in 1180 and is considered the last example of the Romanesque architecture in Thuringia. The St. Nikolai church was heavily damaged during the Peasants’ War but evangelical services were held there as early as 1555.

Eisenach State Theatre

The state theatre was established by Julius von Eichel-Streiber in 1879 and was later renovated in 1993. This theatre holds 600 guests and has 2 balconies. The theatre has a full schedule of plays, concerts, operas, and ballets.

St. Elisabeth Church

The St. Elisabeth church was the first church dedicated to Catholic worship in Eisenach since the Reformation. This neo-gothic structure was founded in 1888 however, services were being held in a smaller parish on this land since 1884. The old foundation stone is still recognizable as it has a cross chiselled into it. A statue of St. Elisabeth is in the lateral chapel formerly known as the page chapel but renamed the “Elisabeth Chapel” in 1965.

Bechtolsheim Palace

The Bechtolsheim Palace was the former home of Vice Chancellor Ludwig von Bechtolsheim. This giant structure is located in today’s Jakobsplan. The classical style building dates back to the end of the 18th century and was frequented by J.W. von Goethe. Goethe and the Chancellor’s wife, Julia, spent hours in intellectual conversation. This same woman later became Goethe’s inspiration for “Wieland”.

St. Anne’s Church

The church started as a hospital founded by St. Elisabeth in 1226. Originally the building was outside the city but was still accessible. After the Reformation the building served many functions, including that of a garrison church. Today St. Anne’s is one of Eisenach’s Protestant parishes.

Goethe Garden

This garden, located behind the Bechtolsheim Palace is a constant reminder of Goethe’s time in Eisenach. The garden also includes parts of the old city wall and an old lookout tower.

Hellgrevenhof

This medieval building was once the home of the Hellgreve family, a family that produced several town councillors and mayors. This is believed to be Eisenach’s oldest Patrician town house. This property has also been linked to the arrival of St. Elisabeth and the medieval singing contest. Today it houses the municipal library after renovations in the 18th and 19th centuries as well as more recent renovations.

Storks Tower

This structure is part of the old city wall and is located near the old cemetery. Storks tower was one of 15 watch towers in the old city wall. This particular tower usually held gunpowder and prisoners. One of the most notable prisoners was the Anabaptist Fritz Erbe who was held in this tower for several years until he was transported to the southern tower of the Wartburg Castle.

Old Cemetery

The old cemetery is located just next to the old city wall. This cemetery was developed after the Reformation when cemeteries next to three parish churches were relocated to the Priest’s Gate. This cemetery is said to hold the family of J.S. Bach and is commemorated by a contemporary memorial stone. In addition, the headstones of several city council members can be seen lining the former city wall.

Prediger Monastery and Mint

This monastery was dedicated to St. Elisabeth in 1240 and is the only surviving monastery in Eisenach as well as one of the oldest surviving monasteries in all of Thuringia. After the Reformation the monastery became the St. George’s Latin School, the school J.S. Bach attended. Currently the building is the Martin Luther School.

Black Fountain

On September 1, 1810 several Napoleaonic vehicles of munition exploded killing 62 people and destroying 24 houses. The black fountain was built in 1817 in memory of those who died in the tragedy.

The Old Malt House

The Old Malt house dates back to 1873 when it served as a Malt and Malt coffee factory. Now it is an industrial museum and a romantic, industrial monument. In the process of renovation workers were able to refurbish the machine system and discovered it was still completely functional. In addition this building holds jazz archives and a jazz cellar since 1999 and has hosted performances of the Eisenach state theatre.

Gründerzeit Villas

Three residential neighborhoods in the south and southwest of the city are filled with villas. These villas were built between 1862 and World War I by wealthy civil servants, industrialists, military personnel, and artists from all over Germany. These villas were built in a variety of historical and art nouveau styles. This area has become one of Europe’s largest collection of villas.

Fraternity Monument

Built in 1902, the monument stands opposite the Wartburg Castle in memory of those who were killed in the struggle for a united Germany between 1864 to 1871. The monument, that reaches a height of 33 meters and proclaims “Honour, Freedom, and Fatherland,” was dedicated on May 22, 1902 and was extended to honor those who fell in World War I in 1933. Since unification, fraternities continue to meet in Eisenach in memory of the demonstrations held at the Wartburg Castle.

The Automobile World

This museum pays homage to the over 100 year tradition of car manufacturing in Eisenach. The museum was founded in 1967, however was moved to the old 1935 O2 factory building. Construction in this new building is still underway but an exhibition of cars manufactured in Eisenach, from Dixis to BMWs and the last Wartburg 1.3 ever created in 1991, can still be seen.