Buchenwald Memorial is the site of one of the first Third Reich concentration camps and is the largest of its kind in Germany. It was established in 1937 on Ettersberg to persecute political prisoners and minorities. Inmates from all across Europe were conscribed into the armament industry until 1945 when World War II ended. Today, it is a national memorial and contains cemeteries, the prison building, crematorium and library.
The Park an der Ilm is beautifully landscaped, part of the UNESCO 'Classical Weimar' area. Between 1778 and 1828, the park was completed and landscaped. The park is a wonderful example of the architecture of the Classical period, and several interesting monuments like the Goethe Gartenhaus and Römisches Haus can be found in the park. With beautiful gardens and meadows, it's truly a pleasure to explore the 48-hectare (118 acres) park.
The garden residence of the famed German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Goethes Gartenhaus is a popular attraction here in Weimar. Visitors can take a look round the pretty cottage where he once lived and worked. Inside, you'll find rooms like anteroom, where, the busts of prominent personalities such as Duke Carl August and Duchess Anna Amalia can be found. The study room here is adorned with Geothe's drawings such as Luisenkloster, Steaming valleys near Ilmenau, Christiane Vulpius, Mine chests near Ilmenau and many more can be found. Located within the premises of Park an der Ilm, Goethes Gartenhaus is a part of Classical Weimar, making it a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Schloss Belvedere is a Baroque building situated on the outskirts of the city of Weimar. It was built as a recreational house of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar, Ernt August, where extensive parties would take place during the 18th Century. The present-day houses a vast collection of porcelain, furniture and paintings which depict the lifestyle of the bygone era. A must-visit for visitors exploring Weimar!
Franz Kirms, court counselor and close friend of Goethe, hosted many a social evening with the best intellectual minds of his time at this beautiful house, including personalities like Hans Christian Andersen, Christoph Wieland, and Johann Gottfried Herder. The Kirms-Krackow Haus is one of the oldest in Weimar dating back to the 1500's. The house offers visitors a chance to peep into the life of the typical Bourgeois with original furniture and craft-work of the Classical period in Weimar. The garden attached to the house has several wonderful specimens and rare plants, while the Baroque pavillion is a charming addition.
Get swept back through time while exploring the Weimar Haus. With interactive exhibits spread across seven experience rooms, learn about the history of Weimar in a fun, engaging way. The creative mix of media like waxworks, audio-visuals and recreated historical settings takes you through the transition through the Pre-historic times to Dark Ages to the Classical period. The Weimar Haus is a good place to start your exploration of the city.
Thuringia has been an important site of cultural development since ancient times. 400.000 years of the cultural heritage of the region is wonderfully brought to life through various exhibits and artefacts. From Archaeological discoveries to superb reconstructions, the Museum für Ur- und Frühgeschichte Thüringens promises a well-spent afternoon finding out about the unique blend of peoples and cultures that flourished here like the Slavs, Celts and Germans. The grave of Germanic princess Hassleben is especially noteworthy. For special exhibitions, look up the website.
One of the oldest German open-air museums, Thüringer Bauernhäuser shows the working and living conditions of Rudolstadt citizens from the 17th to 19th centuries. The half-timbered, gabled farmhouses are an architectural delight, with some dating as far as far back 1667. Surprisingly, the relics within paint a picture of prosperity and high culture, contradictory to the perceived social class of the farmers at the time. With many such surprises, the museum warrants a thorough exploration.
Spanning across an area of 103737 hectares (1037.3 square kilometers), the Saale-Unstrut-Triasland Naturepark is one of the most picturesque landscapes. Harboring a diverse topography, the naturepark is a tapestry of river's floodplains, verdant meadows and dense forests intertwined with vineyards and orchards. Apart from natural beauty, the naturepark also is home to castles of Steinburg, Saaleck and Rudelsburg to name a few while the renowned Sky Disc of Nebra was also found here. With historical monuments and landmarks nestled in the verdure of this landscape, this is a perfect melange of Germany's nature and culture.
Theater Waidspeicher is a different kind of theater where the stars are puppets. But it is not the usual marionettes that you will see here. This esteemed theater gives enthralling performances by expert puppeteers from fairy tales, folklore, classics and contemporary works. Established in 1979, they have shows for children, families and adults. Set in a restored 16th-century woad warehouse, the ambiance is perfect for the plays that are performed at the lovable place.