Jena – City of Science and Light

Originally founded by wine-growers and first officially mentioned in 1236, Jena, the second-largest city in the German federal state of Thuringia has a population of around 111,500. The home of poets, philosophers and scientists is a fascinating synthesis of historic, intellectual past, innovative research and industry and international orientation amid delightful countryside. With this rich diversity and a young student population, the lively city on the Saale river has its own special charm. By Helen Cleary

Jena’s famous university which was founded in 1558 has always been a popular place to study. At the end of the eighteenth century, the city became Germany’s most important intellectual centre due to its close connection to nearby royal Weimar and support from poet and economics minister Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
 
In the second half of the nineteenth century, Jena developed into an industrial city thanks to three scientific and economic giants Carl Zeiss, Otto Schott and Ernst Abbe. Collaboration between research institutes and economic enterprises has continued to the present day and accounts for Jena‘s reputation as a high-tech location and city of science.

As well as museums of technology, science, literature and art history, Jena has an attractive, modern cultural scene with top-class events staged by the theatre, the Art Society and the Philharmonic Orchestra; the annual open-air „Kulturarena“ also attracts international stars. 

A ride on the historic tram takes you to special corners of the city and back to the 1920s. The Zeiss Planetarium which opened in 1926 is the world‘s oldest operating planetarium. From the observation deck of the 159 m JenTower you have a spectacular panoramic view of the city, the Thuringian forest and the beautiful Saale valley.

And the wine? It‘s just as popular with locals and tourists today as it was 800 years ago.