This central German city has more than 100,000 inhabitants and lots of attractions. The medieval town center offers lots of German charm with pubs, old Gothic buildings and narrow shopping streets. Check out the astronomical clock on the old Town Hall, as well as the 15th-century St. Michael’s Church, which holds a slab of Martin Luther’s tomb. Close by, the university tower, Jena Tower, offers a bird’s-eye view of the city from the 27th floor restaurant and viewing platform.
Jena is known for its historical and intellectual past, housing one of the oldest universities in all of Germany. Friedrich Schiller University was the gathering ground for Classicist poets and scientists such as Goethe and Schiller in the 1800s. Memorials to the two Germans are found throughout town, with the Schiller Summer House, where Schiller wrote many of his best plays, a must spot to visit.
Stargazers should make their way to the Zeiss Planetarium Jena, the oldest planetarium in the world still in operation. Here you can study the old instruments and vast laser dome. In a related heritage, Jena has also become known for the specialized manufacturing of optics, photographic machinery and lenses for microscopes, the latter invented by local scientist Carl Zeiss. Make time for a trip to the Optical Museum to see Zeiss’s original workshop, 18th-century cameras and three-dimensional holograms.
For some outdoor fun, opt for a tour of the Jena Botanical Gardens. Built in 1586, it’s the second oldest in Germany and houses more than 10,000 Amazonian plants and flowers in enormous greenhouses covering 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of land. The gardens are the pride of the university and were supported by Goethe who found the location inspiring for his writing.
Jena is easy to reach, thanks to its central location in Germany. Visitors can get trains from any of the major international airports in the region, such as nearby Frankfurt. In Jena itself, it is easy to get around by tram or bicycle, and the latter is a perfect way to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of this dynamic university town.
