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Crazy about culture, history and architecture but also want nature in your package? Then you’ve come to the right place in Weimar. This city located in Thuringia is best known for poets Goethe and Schiller and composers Liszt and Bach, but certainly also for architecture phenomenon Bauhaus. Weimar has an old city center with beautiful, historic buildings and also features beautiful city parks. So an all-in package and certainly suitable for a successful city break. An article full of Weimar sights and tips!
Also read: Beautiful places and sights in Thuringia
Architecture in Weimar, classic but also modern
Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus academy in Weimar in 1919. In terms of architecture, furniture design and technical art, a whole new direction emerged after this founding. The Bauhaus academy has now existed for over 100 years. Despite the fact that Bauhaus moved to Dessau only a few years after its founding, Weimar and Bauhaus are still mentioned in the same breath. The building now houses the Bauhaus University.
To mark the centennial of Bauhaus, the new Bauhaus Museum opened in 2019, where you will see 100 years of Bauhaus pass by. The new museum is situated opposite the Gauforum. The Gauforum complex consists of massive buildings and was built between 1937 and 1945. The large plazas, wide streets and colossal buildings were intended for the National Socialists and, because of their enormous scale, were especially meant to radiate power.
UNESCO World heritage in Weimar
Weimar’s old town breathes history through its classical architecture. In 1945, much was destroyed during bombing raids. Many buildings that suffered major damage were rebuilt, rebuilt or restored after the war. Not without merit by the way; Weimar has no less than 16 classical sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Highlights in Weimar
Real highlights in Weimar include the Duchess Anna Amalia Library, the Goethe-Schiller monument, Liszt’s house, Schiller’s house, the Peter and Paul Church and the Goethe National Museum. The royal crypt(Weimarer Fürstengruft) in the historic Alter Friedhof cemetery is also worth a visit. Here lie dozens of members of the ducal family, such as Princess Sophie of Orange-Nassau, who was married to Charles Alexander of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. Not only persons from noble circles were laid to rest here. Individuals who enjoyed prestige in Weimar were also given a place here, including the poets Goethe and Schiller.
Parks and urban gardens in Weimar
In addition to the above, Weimar is also known for its huge city parks and urban gardens. Anyone who takes a look on Google Maps will immediately see that there is a lot of greenery to be found in Weimar. One park that is very popular with both residents and visitors to Weimar is Park an der Ilm. The park, bordered on both sides by the meandering Ilm River, was created at the end of the 18th century and is over 1 kilometer long. In the middle of the park are the Roman house and Goethe’s garden house. Further north, the park borders Castle Weimar. From the park you have a view of 3 sides of this impressive castle. A large grassy area on the south side invites you for a picnic with historical views!
Also read: Leuchtenburg Castle in Thuringia
The end of the park is the start of Belvederer Allee: a long, green avenue that leads you to Belvedere Castle on top of a hill. Belvedere Castle was built by order of Ernst August, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Eisenach. It served primarily as a summer residence and as a base for hunting in the forests behind the castle. A beautiful place with stunning views of Weimar and its surroundings. Around the castle you can have a nice walk through the beautifully landscaped gardens and forests.
Terraces and restaurants in Weimar
Once you have admired many sights, you can take a seat on one of the many terraces in the old city center. On the Markt, for example, where you have a nice view of the Weimar Town Hall. There are also many nice spots near the Goethe-Schiller monument on Theaterplatz. Nice restaurants and terraces are not only on the larger squares. It is precisely in the narrower, hidden streets and alleys that you often find the gems. This is true in other cities but certainly also in Weimar!
Enjoying Thuringian specialties
Whoever thinks of Thuringia probably thinks of the Thuringian bratwurst. If you’re in Weimar, then of course you have to try one of these delicious authentic bratwursts. Not so keen on sausage but want something that really comes from the region? Then try the Thüringer Klösse dumplings. Dumplings are balls made of potato, filled with meat or vegetables. These dumplings used to be eaten only on Sundays, but today they are on the menu of many restaurants every day.
Weimar also has its own specialty: onion bread. Local bakeries begin producing and selling onion bread just before Oktoberfest. But even after this period of festivities, onion bread is not immediately put away. If you are in Weimar in the months before or after October, I definitely recommend tasting this famous bread.
Weimarer Land
A visit to Weimar can easily be combined with a visit to the surrounding Weimarer Land. When you’re in the countryside, it’s hard to believe that a city like Weimar is nearby! Visit the open-air museum Hohenfelden to see how people used to live here and take a look at Buchfart, where there is a historic wooden bridge. Buchfart is also the place to taste freshly baked bread. The flour for this authentic bread is ground in the centuries-old Buchfart mill, located next to the historic wooden bridge. A lover of hiking and/or cycling? Then Weimarer Land is the place for you to spend some time, as the area offers numerous hiking and biking trails.
