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Site visit: Schiller’s »Gartenzinne«
This little oasis in the heart of the city is always worth a visit. Especially now in summer, the spot—where Goethe and Schiller met for evening conversations—invites visitors to linger.
Schiller's Gartenzinne in the Schiller Garden.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Garden retreat
In March 1797, Friedrich Schiller purchased the Gartenhaus (garden house), which at the time stood in a rural area just outside the city gates. In 1798, he had this small tower built on the southwest corner of the property; its upper floor served as a retreat where he could write poetry. While Schiller lived in the garden house with his family, parts of »Wallenstein« and »Maria Stuart«, among other works, were written here. The garden was a social space: whenever Goethe was in town, he visited Schiller here almost every day.
Named by Goethe
The name »Gartenzinne« comes from Goethe, who referred to the small structure in his epilogue to Schiller’s »The Song of the Bell«. It was also Goethe who, in 1817, came up with the idea to convert the study in the turret into a memorial to his late poet friend.
Observatory
Following Schiller’s death, the Weimar state purchased the estate in 1811. Duke Carl August had an observatory built on the site. Several decades later, Ernst Abbe became director of this observatory and lived in Schiller’s former garden house.
Opening times
Schiller’s house and garden are open all year round. April to October: Tuesday—Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. November to March: Tuesday—Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm.
Guided tours are available in German and English.
