Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

Painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder (workshop) showing Johann the Magnanimous with his red elector's coat

Cranach 2022

New exhibitions and services – Improved handicap accessibility

Starting in June 2022, visitors can experience the Historic Library of the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek in a whole new way. As part of the Cranach 2022 project, the Klassik Stiftung Weimar is redesigning the exhibition areas and library foyer. In addition to the famous Rococo Hall, visitors will be able to view an exhibition on Lucas Cranach, the art of the Reformation and temporary presentations of the library collections.

Financing

The project is financed with investment support and project funding from the German federal government and the state of Thuringia.

 

  • Logo: Die Beauftragte der Bundesregierung für Kultur und Medien

Project goals

  • Cranach exhibition

    Goal of the project is to renovate the Renaissance Hall. Improvements will be made to the room climate and exhibition architecture. Under the title “Cranach’s Torrent of Images", curators are developing an exhibition on the art of the Reformation in the 16th century. From June 2022 the exhibition will present numerous paintings, graphic works, medals and the Luther Bible of 1534.

  • Book with leather cover from the Anna Amalias private library with her Supralibros

    Collection insights

    Both vestibules of the Rococo Hall will also be refurbished. In future, they will serve as venues for presentations highlighting the library holdings at the HAAB, including books which once belonged to Duchess Anna Amalia’s private library.

  • Historical print showing the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek Weimar with the ducal bridge

    Ducal Bridge and Book Tower

    The Ducal Bridge connects the Rococo Hall with the Book Tower, which has held Duke Carl August’s historical military library since 1824. Visitors will be able to view historical models and prints from this collection in the “Goethe Annex” situated between the Rococo Hall and the tower. From there, small groups will be allowed to enter the gallery of the Book Tower via the Ducal Bridge.

  • Digital design of a wooden model showing the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

    The foyer – A place of welcome

    The library foyer will be redesigned to offer a more welcoming experience, more space to move around and improved handicap accessibility. With additional seating and copies of books about our library to peruse at leisure, visitors will enjoy a more relaxing atmosphere.

Public dialogue

We are committed to keeping you informed about our ideas and plans. For this reason, around 24 October each year (Anna Amalia’s birthday), we will be holding public meetings on our past accomplishments and ongoing efforts. Experts from the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, Reformation scholars, Cranach researchers and exhibition architects will be on hand to discuss the project’s concept and its continued progress.

View of the Study Centre during the presentation by Thomas Kaufmann on 23 October 2019
Presentation by Thomas Kaufmann on 23 October 2019

A look back

Public meeting in 2019

The first public meeting was held on 24 October 2019. The project was introduced the evening before by Prof. Dr. Thomas Kaufmann (University of Göttingen) with a presentation on Cranach’s modelling of the Lutheran image.

Programme of the public meeting 2019 (German only)

Public meeting in 2020

Programme of the public meeting 2020 (German only)

Contact

  • Veronika Spinner
    Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin

    P +49 3643 545 521
    E-Mail
  • Dr. Sebastian Dohe
    Custody of the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period, Coins and Medals

    P +49 3643 545 689
    E-Mail

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.