Thuringian Museum in the City Castle: Art, Culture & History in the City Center

The Thuringian Museum in the Stadtschloss (the city castle) of Eisenach not only offers a fascinating insight into the art and cultural history of Thuringia but also represents a significant piece of the city's history. The imposing city castle is located at Eisenach’s market square and, together with the Georgenkirche (St. George's Church) and Georgsbrunnen (St. George's fountain), shapes the appearance of this central place. Since 1931, it has housed a portion of the collections of the Thuringian Museum in Eisenach.

The museum extends across multiple locations in the city, including the Predigerkirche (Preacher's Church), the Reuter-Villa, and the Teezimmer (tea room) in the Kartausgarten. For Eisenach, it is a cultural center that not only keeps local history alive but also attracts visitors from beyond the region. The unique combination of historical ambiance and significant art treasures makes the Thuringian Museum an essential destination for those interested in culture.

Why You Should Visit the Thuringian Museum

The Thuringian Museum in the city castle offers more than just a glimpse into the past. It connects the history of Eisenach with art and culture in an impressive setting. Here are some reasons why a visit is worthwhile:

• Diversity of Exhibitions and Collections: Discover artworks and handcrafted treasures from various eras, including Thuringian porcelain, paintings, and historical everyday objects. Regularly changing special exhibitions and thematically diverse collections ensure variety with every visit.
• Historic Ambiance: The baroque city castle itself is an architectural highlight and provides an authentic setting for the exhibitions.
• Central Location: Situated directly at the market square, the museum is easily accessible and a perfect starting point for exploring Eisenach, including other museums, exhibitions, and sights like the Bach House and the Luther House.
• Additional Locations in the City: Combine your visit with the Predigerkirche, the Reuter-Villa, or the Teezimmer in the Kartausgarten for a comprehensive cultural experience.

What You Can See at the Thuringian Museum in the City Castle

The Thuringian Museum in the city castle of Eisenach houses a diverse collection spread across two floors. The art and cultural-historical exhibitions offer a comprehensive insight into the cultural and artistic development of Thuringia. Here is an overview of the main highlights:

1. Thuringian Handicrafts: Porcelain, Faience, and Glass
   At the center of the collection are handcrafted masterpieces from Thuringia. On display are exquisite porcelain, artfully designed faience, and historic glass that have shaped the region for centuries. The exhibition "Journey through Thuringian Rococo: Porcelains since 1760" offers a fascinating journey through the history of Thuringian porcelain and showcases the craftsmanship of these objects.

   

   “Romeo and Juliet”: The painting by Anselm Feuerbach from 1864, depicting Shakespeare’s main characters at the balcony in Verona, is one of the exhibits at the Thuringian Museum in the city castle of Eisenach.

2. 19th and 20th Century Painting: The Curt Elschner Gallery
   Since the opening of the renovated north wing in 2021, the museum has been showcasing a representative selection of paintings from the Curt Elschner Foundation and its own collections. The collection includes works from the Düsseldorf, Munich, and Weimar schools of painting as well as members of the first Munich Secession. These artworks represent important movements in 19th and 20th-century German painting and offer deep insights into art history. 

3. Thuringian Landscape Painting and Contemporary Art
   A particular focus lies on Thuringian landscape painting from the Weimar School, featuring works by artists such as Friedrich Preller the Elder, Carl Hummel, and Ludwig von Gleichen-Rußwurm. The collection is complemented by a wide selection of contemporary Thuringian art, which demonstrates how local artists process modern influences.

4. Folk Art and Everyday Culture
   The museum's ethnological department displays a rich selection of objects from rural and urban life in central and western Thuringia. Costumes, jewelry, furniture, and other everyday items offer vivid insights into the way of life in past centuries and document the regional culture in an impressive manner.

5. Pharmaceutical History Collection
   A special attraction is the pharmaceutical history collection, which dates back to the Rats- und Hofapotheke (council and court pharmacy) founded in 1585. Exhibits include faience, glassware, and medical devices such as mortars and grinding bowls from the 17th to the 19th centuries. The fully preserved pharmacy interior from the Schwan Apothecary dating from the early 18th century is a highlight and can be visited as a permanent exhibition.

6. Special Exhibitions and Rotating Presentations
   In addition to the permanent exhibitions, regularly changing exhibitions are shown in the restored Marstall (stables) and other rooms of the city castle. These thematically diverse presentations complement the offerings and ensure that there is always something new to discover with every visit.

The Thuringian Museum in the city castle thus offers a rich and varied collection that encompasses both historical treasures and contemporary art. Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultural history of Thuringia and discover artworks of both regional and national significance.

Predigerkirche, Reuter-Villa & Teezimmer - additional exhibitions at a glance

In addition to the city castle, the Thuringian Museum Eisenach also offers fascinating insights into the culture and history of the region at the Predigerkirche, the Reuter-Villa, and the Teezimmer in the Kartausgarten:

• Predigerkirche: Medieval Art in Thuringia
  The Predigerkirche, built in the 13th century as part of the Eisenach Dominican Monastery, houses a significant collection of medieval art, including the largest collection of medieval woodcarvings in Thuringia. Within its historic walls are sculptures, altarpieces, and panel paintings from the 12th to the 16th century. Additionally, stone sculptures and liturgical objects create a comprehensive picture of the sacred art of this era. Installations such as the light art by Philipp Geist and the sculpture "Fragments No. 6" by Manaf Halbouni explore the life of St. Elizabeth and connect the past with contemporary art.
  
  

  Richard Wagner Bust: The Thuringian Museum’s exhibition in the Reuter-Villa offers not only the history of the poet and an extensive library but also numerous exhibits related to the German composer Richard Wagner.
  © Westerdam, CC BY-SA 4.0
• Reuter-Villa: Reuter-Wagner Museum
  The Reuter-Villa, built in the neo-Renaissance style, is not only an architectural gem but also houses the second-largest Richard Wagner collection after Bayreuth. The Reuter-Wagner Museum presents exhibits on the life and work of the Low German poet Fritz Reuter alongside an extensive collection of Richard Wagner memorabilia, first exhibited here in 1897. This exhibition attracts Wagner enthusiasts from all over Germany and links Eisenach’s cultural history with the musical history of the 19th century.
  Learn more in the main article on the Reuter-Wagner Museum>>>
• Teezimmer in the Kartausgarten: Classical Wallpaper and the Tale of "Amor and Psyche"
  Located in the idyllic Kartausgarten in southern Eisenach is the Gärtnerhaus (gardener’s house) with its historic tea room. The centerpiece of this exhibition is the elaborately restored classical wallpaper, depicting scenes from the ancient tale of "Amor and Psyche." These hand-printed wallpapers, originally produced in Paris, lend the small salon a unique charm. Visitors can embark on a time travel experience, where the combination of Romanticism and Classicism brings the art and aesthetics of the 19th century to life.

These three additional locations of the Thuringian Museum complement the offerings of the city castle and provide visitors with varied and specialized exhibitions. Whether medieval art, literary and musical history, or classical aesthetics – each of these sites tells its own unique story and invites you to dive deep into the diverse facets of the region.

Getting There, Opening Hours & Prices of the Thuringian Museum in Eisenach

Thuringian Museum in the Stadtschloss, Markt 24

The Thuringian Museum in the city castle is open from Wednesday to Sunday as well as on Thuringian public holidays from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The Predigerkirche is open from Wednesday to Sunday and on Thuringian public holidays from 10 AM to 1 PM and from 2 PM to 5 PM.

The Predigerkirche is just a few minutes' walk from the market square. From the Stadtschloss, head right past the Georgenkirche and then turn at the Georg-Philipp-Telemann monument into "Untere Predigergasse", which leads directly to your destination.

Reuter-Wagner Museum, Reuterweg 2

The Reuter-Wagner Museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday and on Thuringian public holidays from 2 PM to 5 PM.

Information on getting there and parking can be found in the main article on the Reuter-Wagner Museum>>>

Teezimmer in the Kartausgarten, Waisenstraße 2

A visit to the Teezimmer in the Kartausgarten is possible with group tours of 10 or more people by prior appointment. Appointments can be made at the Reuter-Wagner Museum or by phone at 03691 743293.

The Gärtnerhaus is located directly behind the Wandelhalle (promenade hall) in the Kartausgarten. Simply follow the path to the left or straight ahead at the fork near the entrance from Waisenstraße, and you will reach the Teezimmer directly. Directions and parking information for the Wandelhalle can be found in the main article on the Wandelhalle>>>