Friedenstein Palace
One of Germany's largest early baroque palaces, holding a court theatre with working wooden stage machinery of 1683.
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Duke Ernst the Pious built Friedenstein from 1643 on the site of a demolished fortress, naming it for the peace after the Thirty Years War, and the result is among the largest early baroque palace complexes in Germany. The Ekhof Theatre inside dates from 1681 to 1683 and keeps its original wooden stage machinery, drums, ropes and sliding wings that change the scene in seconds, still operated by hand for performances; it is one of very few baroque theatres anywhere with working period machinery. The palace holds art collections including Cranach and a cabinet of curiosities, a cartographic collection and the ducal library.
What you actually see
- The Ekhof Theatre - 1683 wooden stage machinery still worked by hand.
- The art collections - Cranach paintings and a cabinet of curiosities.
- The early baroque scale - one of Germany's largest palaces of the period.
- The map collection - a substantial historic cartographic holding.
When to go
April to October; the Ekhof Festival stages baroque opera in the theatre each summer, which is when the machinery is used. Museums close Mondays.
Honest expectations
The stage machinery is demonstrated mainly during the summer festival. Museums close Mondays. The complex is large and needs several hours.
Nearby
Erfurt lies east; Eisenach is west.
What to pack for Friedenstein Palace
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
