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 8 January, 5 February, 5 March and 4 June 2025 at 5pm.

On the occasion of the 19th Thuringia Day, guided tours will be offered on 3 May 2025 at 11 am and 1 pm.

The tours start 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

Saturday, 15 March 2025 | 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. | Meeting point: Ancestral Hall in the Perthes Forum

Open day of the Perthes Collection
‘Made in Gotha - the GOTHA’. Four special guided tours of the Gotha Court Calendar

Due to limited capacity, please register from 21 February onwards by calling 0361/737-5581 (Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.).

‘Know. Share. Discover. Night of the Libraries’
General guided tours through the historical showrooms of the Gotha Research Library

4 April 2025 | 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm | Meeting point: Hall of Mirrors

Know. Share. Discover – this is the motto of this year's Night of Libraries, in which the Gotha Research Library is taking part with guided tours through its historical rooms. Two general tours will be offered on the evening: at 6.30 pm and at 7.30 pm. Each tour lasts one hour in total.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 1 April on 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

Young man with plush lion

‘Guided tour for bookworms – and those who want to become one’

Guided tour for children from approx. 6 to 12 years

4 April 2025 | 6.30 pm | Meeting point: Entrance to the Research Library

For the first time this year, the Gotha Research Library is organising a guided tour for children. 
Dear children, we would like to show you that books can be interesting. That's why we're taking you on a journey of discovery through the Gotha Research Library. There are exciting rooms to explore. And we'll take a look at some very special books. We also want to show you what books are actually made of. Explore the world of books with us. We start at 6.30 pm. Please allow one hour.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 1 April at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

 

Background: On 4 April, the Night of Libraries will take place nationwide, in which the ‘Heinrich Heine’ City Library and the Gotha Research Library will participate. The Night of Libraries is organised by the German Library Association and its 16 regional associations. 

Nationwide programme of events for the Night of the Libraries

East tower of Friedenstein Castle Gotha

Saturday, 3 May 2025 | 10 am and 2 pm | Meeting point: Entrance to the Research Library

‘The library in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace: Tour of the building and library history’

Guided tours of the east tower of Friedenstein Palace with building historian Udo Hopf (Weimar) and Dr Kathrin Paasch (Gotha Research Library) on the occasion of the 19th Thuringia Day in Gotha

Due to limited capacity, please register by 30 April at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

Please note: The guided tours have to be postponed for scheduling reasons. The new dates will be announced in good time. We ask for your understanding!

Wednesday, 11 June 2025 | 6 p.m. | Meeting point: Entrance to the Research Library

'The library in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace: Tour of the building and library history'

Guided tour of the east tower of Friedenstein Palace with building historian Udo Hopf (Weimar) and Dr Hendrikje Carius (Gotha Research Library)

Due to limited capacity, please register by 9 June at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

 

 

 

 

Digitisation technology

Friday, 27 June 2025 | 5 p.m. | Meeting point: Duke Ernst Chamber, Friedenstein Palace

Lecture and guided tour: ‘The digital Library: Insight into digitisation on the nationwide Digital Day on 27 June 2025’

Due to limited capacity, please register by 25 June at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.