A project of the IBA Thüringen is what defines Weimar, Das 100. Today, we will explore this attraction. Weimar is a city steeped in German history. It is known for its cultural heritage.
Weimar was a focal point. It was the home of Goethe and Schiller. Liszt made Weimar a music center. The Bauhaus movement was founded here. The Bauhaus was an important German design school.
Weimar’s political history is volatile. Germany’s first democratic constitution was signed here. This gave its name to the Weimar Republic. The Nazis also mythologized Weimar.
Until 1948, Weimar was the capital of Thuringia. Many places are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These include Classical Weimar and the Bauhaus complex. Heritage tourism is a leading sector.
The oldest records of Weimar are from 899. The name evolved from Wimares to Weimar. It comes from Old High German. The County of Weimar was powerful. In 1062, it joined with Orlamünde.
The Weimar settlement grew around a castle. Two small churches were important. One was dedicated to Saint Peter. The other to Saint James. In 1240, a monastery was founded in Oberweimar. Cistercian nuns ran it. The counts of Weimar founded the town. Citizens used their own seal from 1262.
After 1346, urban development improved. Weimar became equal to other Wettinian cities. It grew during the 15th century. A town hall was established. The main church was built. In 1438, Weimar gained trade privileges. The castle and walls were finished.
After 1485, Weimar became part of the electorate. It belonged to the Ernestine branch of Wettins. The Protestant Reformation was introduced in 1525. Martin Luther stayed in the city. In 1552, Weimar became the residence of the ruler. It remained so until 1918. The court brought wealth. The 17th century brought decline. Territorial partitions reduced the dukes’ importance. The city lost privileges. The 18th century brought another boom. The city got its present look. The walls were demolished in 1757. Bach worked as the court’s organist.
After Goethe’s death, Weimar remained a cultural center. Franz Liszt moved to Weimar in 1842. He became the court conductor. The Weimar School of Music was founded in 1872. Richard Strauss worked in Weimar. Nietzsche moved to Weimar in 1897.
The Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School was founded in 1860. Henry van de Velde founded the Kunstgewerbeschule. This was “The New Weimar”. In 1846, Weimar was connected by railway. The city saw a population boom. Weimar did not become industrialized.
During the 1918 revolution, the grand duke abdicated. The Weimar Republic’s constitution was drafted here. In 1920, Thuringia was founded. Weimar became its capital.
In 1919, Walter Gropius founded the Bauhaus School. The Bauhaus lasted until 1925. Right-wing pressure forced it to move. The Weimar Republic era was conflicted. Progressive and Völkisch forces clashed. After 1929, right-wing forces prevailed. Weimar became an early center of Nazism.
Weimar was important to the Nazis. It was where the Weimar Republic was founded. It had been a center of German culture. Hitler visited Weimar often. In 1933, Nazi concentration camps were established. After Kristallnacht, Jews were harassed. The Weimar Synagogue was destroyed.
During the 1930s, the barracks were extended. A new administrative center was built. This was the Gauforum. In 1937, Buchenwald concentration camp was established.
The city center was damaged in 1945. Most buildings were restored. Residents were ordered to walk through Buchenwald. The city ended up in the Soviet occupation zone.
From 1945 to 1950, the Soviets used Buchenwald as a special camp. In 1948, Erfurt became Thuringia’s new capital.
After reunification in 1990, Weimar experienced hardship. In 1991, the Weimar Triangle was formed. It was designated a UNESCO site. Weimar was the European Capital of Culture in 1999.
In 2004, a fire broke out at the Duchess Anna Amalia Library. The library was reopened in 2007.
Today, Weimar is popular. It is a residence for people working in Erfurt and Jena. Weimar, Das 100, stands as a testament to innovation. It is a project shaping the future. Its historical importance makes Weimar a special city.