Friedenstein Castle, Gotha

Friedenstein Castle, which was constructed between 1643 and 1654, is the largest early Baroque castle complex in Germany. The former residence of the Electors of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha rises up above Gotha's old city centre at a height of 311 metres on the 'Schlossberg' hill. The four-winged building with two characteristic towers was built by Duke Ernest I, known as Ernest the Pious, and has been mostly preserved right through to the present day. The castle exterior features a simple design with few decorations or ornaments in line with the architect's plans to create a building with a clear form and function. Its interior, however, is home to a multitude of rooms and halls with magnificent designs that have retained their original form, fittings and furnishings over the centuries. The most outstanding room of the castle is the Ekhof Theatre, the oldest castle theatre in the world, which contains preserved original wooden stage machinery that dates back to the 17th century and is still used during the Ekhof Festival held in the summer months. Visitors to the castle can view both the theatre and other rooms and halls on a guided tour. Other institutions and attractions that form part of the castle complex include the Castle Museum, the Museum of Regional History and Culture, the Natural History Museum, an archive and library, the casemates, the park and the extremely well-maintained orangery garden.

The renovated Ducal Museum in the south of the complex was reopened on 19th October 2013. It contains a multitude of works of art from ancient times right through to the modern era, including pieces by Cranach and Caspar David Friedrich and one of the oldest collections of Egyptian artefacts in Europe. The exhibition rooms themselves have been returned to their original state as they were back in 1879 and are therefore yet again extremely spacious and luxurious.

Opening times

Museums in Friedenstein Castle (Castle Museum, Historical Museum, Museum of Nature, Ekhof Theatre)
Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays, open on public holidays)
10am - 5pm
(Between November and March open 10am - 4pm)

On 24.12. and 31.12. all the museums will be closed.

Castle Parks and Orangery
Open all year

Castle Chapel
Wednesday, 12pm - 5pmApril to September, also open by prior arrangement.

Price:

Single ticket - 'Friedenstein Ticket' (incl. Castle Museum, Historical Museum, Natural History Museum, Ekhof Theatre, Ducal Museum, special exhibitions) - valid for one day
€10.00 (reduced rate: €4.00)

Single ticket - 'Modul' (Natural History Museum or Ekhof Theatre or Ducal Museum or a special exhibition or a talk/event (exceptions: Baroque Festival, Ekhof Festival, Museum Night, special exhibitions in the historic rooms))
€5.00 (reduced rate: €2.50)

Annual ticket (incl. 4 museums, special exhibitions and talks/events (excluding the Ekhof Festival)) - valid for one year from the date of issue
€30.00 (reduced rate: €20.00)

'Friedenstein' group ticket for groups of 21 or more: €7.50 per person

'Modul' group ticket for groups of 21 or more: €3.00 per person

Ticket for school groups: €15.00

Children and young people aged up to 16: free

Photography pass: €5.00 / video pass: €10.00

Guided tours for groups of 30 or more: from €50.00