Guided tours

The Gotha Research Library offers guided tours of the display rooms at Friedenstein Palace (Schlossplatz 1, 99867 Gotha).

The Perthes Collection in the Perthes Forum (Justus-Perthes-Straße 1-9, 99867 Gotha), which belongs to the Research Library, offers guided tours on the Perthes Collection Open Day, which takes place twice a year.

All tours are by appointment only.

The Gotha Research Library is part of the impressive architectural ensemble of Friedenstein Castle. It has been located in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace since 1698 and expanded over all floors of the tower and into the east wing in the 19th and 20th centuries.  The guided tours show the historic library room, the former living quarters of the dukes of Gotha and the outstanding historic coin cabinet. These rooms are now used as book stacks.

 

“Books – Knowledge – Change”

Guided tours through the historical showrooms of the Gotha Research Library will take place on 11 December 2024, 8 January, 5 February, 5 March, 3 May and 4 June 2025.

The tours start at 5 pm in the Hall of Mirrors, Friedenstein Palace.

Please note: The guided tours are held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by calling 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

Special guided tours

8 September 2024: "Following the Traces of the Book of Eight Hymns: Insights into the Hymnal Collection of the Gotha Research Library"

The Book of Eight Hymns from the hymnal collection of the Gotha Research Library. Nuremberg 1524.

Sunday, 8 September 2024 | 5 pm | Meeting point: Hall of Mirrors

 "Following the Traces of the Book of Eight Hymns: Insights into the Hymnal Collection of the Gotha Research Library"
Thematic guided tour on the occasion of the anniversary "500 years of the Protestant hymnal" for the sermon series of the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Gotha with Dr Hendrikje Carius (Gotha Research Library).

Organiser: Gotha Research Library and Gotha Evangelical Lutheran Parish

Note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by September 6 by calling 03621/302920 or sending an email to ulrike.uebelacker@ekmd.de.

20 September 2024: Guided tour for children and families through the exhibition “The Orient in Gotha”

Ethiopian envoy letter from the King of Shewa to Queen Victoria of England. 1843

Friday, 20 September 2024 | 2 pm | Meeting point: Museum ticket office of Friedenstein Palace

Guided tour for children and families through the exhibition “The Orient in Gotha” with Dr. Feras Krimsti (curator).
Followed by a guided tour through the exhibition “My Heart Trembles Like Bamboo” in the Gotha City Library on the occasion of Castle Children’s Day and the ACHAVA Family Festival. For children aged 10 and older.

Note: The guided tour is held in German.

19 October 2024: Open day of the Perthes Collection

Saturday, 19 October 2024 | 9.30 am, 10.30 am, 1 pm and 2 pm | Meeting point: Ancestral Hall of the Perthes Forum of Gotha

"Map Stories". Four Guided Tours of the Perthes Collection

Note: The guided tours are held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register, beginning September 30, by calling 0361/737-5581 (Mon-Fri 9 am - 3 pm).

26 October 2024: 18th Gotha Museum Night

Saturday, 26 October 2024 | 8, 9 and 10 pm | Meeting point: Hall of Mirrors

18th Gotha Museum Night

Guided tours through the historical showrooms of the Gotha Research Library.
Participation is limited to 25 people per tour. Free admission tickets are available at the Info Point in the courtyard of Friedenstein Castle.

Organiser: Friedenstein Foundation Gotha in cooperation with the Gotha Research Library

Note: The guided tours are held in German.

31 October 2024: "Following the Traces of the Book of Eight Hymns: Insights into the Hymnal Collection of the Gotha Research Library"

Thursday, 31 October 2024 | 11 am | Meeting point: Hall of Mirrors

"Following the Traces of the Book of Eight Hymns: Insights into the Hymnal Collection of the Gotha Research Library"

Thematic guided tour on the occasion of Reformation Day and the anniversary "500 years of the Protestant hymnal" for the sermon series of the Evangelical Lutheran parish of Gotha with Dr Hendrikje Carius (Gotha Research Library).

Organiser: Gotha Research Library and Gotha Evangelical Lutheran Parish

Note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by October 30 by calling 03621/302920 or sending an email to ulrike.uebelacker@ekmd.de.

13 November 2024: "Defence against the ‘Turkish Threat’ in the Early Modern Period: The Casemates at Friedenstein Palace“

Wednesday, 13 November 2024 | 6 pm | Meeting point: Entrance to the Casemates (Elsa-Brändström-Weg)

„Defence against the ‘Turkish Threat’ in the Early Modern Period: The Casemates at Friedenstein Palace“
Guided tour through the Casemates of Friedenstein Palace with architectural historian Udo Hopf (Weimar)

Accompanying programme to the exhibition "The Orient in Gotha".

Note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 11 November at veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

28 November 2024: "Perthes digital"

Thursday, 28 November 2024 | 4 and 5:30 pm | Meeting point: Ancestral Hall of the Perthes Forum of Gotha

Lecture and guided tour
 „Perthes digital. Insight into digitisation"

Note: The guided tours are held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 26 November at sammlungperthes.fb@uni-erfurt.de.