This active university town in Thuringia has a historic center with medieval churches, a castle, and a large Christmas market. Students bring energy to its beer gardens and pubs.
Jena, a university city in Thuringia, has been shaped by science and education since 1558. You can explore the world's oldest operating planetarium, walk through a botanical garden designed by Goethe, or climb the 159-meter JenTower for views across medieval streets. In the surrounding Saale Valley, limestone cliffs create unique conditions where wild orchids grow naturally.
Science Museums and Research
At the Optical Museum on Carl-Zeiß-Platz, you'll find Europe's largest collection of spectacles and historic optical instruments, including Carl Zeiss's original workshop from the 1850s. The Phyletisches Museum houses extensive collections of fossils and specimens that explain evolutionary biology, established by scientist Ernst Haeckel. Visit the Zeiss Planetarium, built in 1926, to experience modern full-dome projections in the world's oldest operating planetarium.
University Life
Friedrich Schiller University's 18,000 students make up one-sixth of Jena's population, with buildings spread throughout the city center. Students fill the cafes and shops along the narrow medieval streets, particularly in the Wagnergasse district's restaurants and bars. The Ernst-Abbe-Fachhochschule brings another 5,000 students to the academic community.
Natural Environment
Walking paths through the Saale River Valley lead to spots where wild orchids grow naturally, just minutes from the city center. The mixed forests and limestone formations create multiple hiking routes. In the Botanical Garden, originally planned by Goethe, you can walk through different climate zones and see both local and exotic plants. Many researchers use the garden for their work, while visitors come here to relax.
Cultural Events
During summer, the Kulturarena festival fills the streets with open-air theater, film screenings, and music performances. The Jenaer Philharmonie performs regular concerts, while the city theater runs year-round productions. You can join the Irish Music festival, Jazz festival, the Horizontale trail run (35 or 100 kilometers around the city), or attempt the JenTower stair race.
Historic Buildings
Several towers from medieval fortifications still line the city center. The late Gothic St. Michael's Church dates from 1438-1528, while the 14th-century town hall includes an astronomical clock on its facade. You can visit the garden in Schillergässchen where an oval stone table marks the meeting spot of writers Schiller and Goethe.
