Friedenstein Palace
Schloss Friedenstein
One of Germany's largest early Baroque palaces, with the Ekhof Theatre, which retains its original 17th-century wooden stage machinery, and a treasure collection.
Friedenstein Palace was built between 1643 and 1654 by Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Gotha. Its three-winged palace contains Baroque and Neoclassical rooms, an art treasury, an Egyptian collection and a natural history museum. The Ekhof Theatre still retains its original 17th-century wooden stage machinery, and performances are held during the summer Baroque festival. A combined ticket costs about 15 euros. Gotha lies between Erfurt and Eisenach, about 20 minutes by train, so it can be combined with a trip to Wartburg Castle on the same line.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (until 16:00 in winter)
Nearby sights
- egapark Erfurt
- Petersberg Citadel
- Erfurt Cathedral & St. Severus' Church
- Fischmarkt & Town Hall
- Predigerkirche
- Old Synagogue Erfurt
- Augustinian Monastery
- Krämerbrücke