Established in 1990, the Thüringer Ministerium für Inneres, Kommunales und Landesentwicklung stands before you. This building, once part of the Steiger Brewery, now holds the reins of Thuringia’s internal affairs, local government, and regional development. The ministry’s history intertwines with the very fabric of Thuringia. Initially established as the Thuringian Ministry of the Interior, it underwent a transformation on December 12, 2024. It became the Thüringer Ministerium für Inneres, Kommunales und Landesentwicklung. This name change reflects its expanded responsibilities. The current minister, Georg Maier, a member of the SPD, assumed office on August 30, 2017. His tenure has seen a brief interruption, from February 5 to March 3, 2020. He is supported by State Secretaries Norman Müller and Andreas Bausewein. The ministry’s reach extends far beyond these walls. Around 9,000 employees work within the ministry and its subordinate authorities. The organizational structure comprises five main departments. These departments handle central tasks, state and administrative law, municipal affairs, the Thuringia Police, and the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The ministry oversees a complex network of authorities. These include the Thuringian State Office for Statistics in Erfurt, the State Criminal Police Office in Erfurt, the State Police Directorate in Erfurt, and the Thuringian State Administration Office in Weimar. Beyond these, there are lower state authorities such as the Thuringia Bereitschaftspolizei (riot police) in Erfurt, seven state police inspectorates, the Autobahnpolizeiinspektion (highway patrol) in Schleifreisen, and 17 district offices. The ministry’s influence also extends to educational institutions. It oversees the Training Center of the Thuringian Police in Meiningen. It’s also responsible for the Thuringian State Fire and Disaster Protection School in Bad Köstritz. Additionally, it manages the Training Center of the Thuringian State Administration in Gotha, and the Thuringian University of Applied Sciences for Public Administration in Gotha and Meiningen. The Thüringer Ministerium für Inneres, Kommunales und Landesentwicklung represents a vital part of Thuringia’s administrative structure. It ensures the smooth functioning of the state and the well-being of its citizens.
Hirschgarten
From the Hirschgarten’s heart a story unfolds. This isn’t just any park. The Hirschgarten in Erfurt boasts a history richer