Is open today
General opening hours
Mon–Fri | 9:00–18:00
Sat, Sun | 11:00–16:00
The Goethe- und Schiller-Archiv opened on 28 June 1896. Grand Duchess Sophie of Saxony-Weimar and Eisenach had commissioned the construction of the archive to hold the valuable collection of Goethe manuscripts she had inherited. Financed from the duchess’s private coffers and based on plans by the architect Otto Minckert, the building was constructed on park grounds overlooking the Ilm River. After several additions over many years, the building underwent extensive renovation and extension from 2010 to 2012.
Individual visitors can view the archive during regular opening hours without prior registration.
The three large rooms on the first floor form the centrepiece of the archive. Temporary exhibitions of original manuscripts from the archive are presented in the central gallery. The manuscript reading room is situated in the right wing, while the left wing is used for various events. It contains the private library of the literary scholar Julius Petersen who served as president of the Goethe Society from 1926 to 1938.
Is open today
General opening hours
Mon–Fri | 9:00–18:00
Sat, Sun | 11:00–16:00
Visitors can take a stroll through the gardens around the building. From the terrace, one can gain an impressive view of Weimar’s historic downtown.
Individual visitors can view the archive during regular opening hours without prior registration.
Projects of the Klassik Stiftung Weimar are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free State of Thuringia, represented by the State Chancellery of Thuringia, Department of Culture and the Arts.