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 2 July, 6 August, 12 November and 3 December 2025 at 5pm.

Meeting point: Entrance to the Gotha Research Library (1st floor)

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.

Guided tours of the annual Exhibition "NOBILITY, POWER, STATE: The Gotha Court Calendar 1763 to 1944"

Wednesday, September 24, October 1, 15 and 29, 2025 4:00 p.m. each day
Guided tours of the exhibition by curators

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Guided tours of the exhibition for participants of the XIVth International Colloquium on Genealogy, Gotha 2025

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. | 2:30 p.m.
Four special guided tours of the annual exhibition ‘NOBILITY, POWER, STATE’

Meeting point for all guided tours: Friedenstein Palace, anteroom to the Hall of Mirrors (ducal staircase, 2nd floor, left-hand side)

Special guided tours

August 20, 2025: The library in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace: Tour of the building and library history

Wednesday, August 20, 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) 

Please note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 18 August at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

October 24, 2025: The library in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace: Tour of the building and library history

Friday, October 24, 2025 | 3 and 5 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 tours of the east tower of Friedenstein Palace with building historian Udo Hopf (Weimar) 

Please note: The guided tours are held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 22 October at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

Oktober 31, 2025: Traces of the Peasants' War in the Gotha Research Library

Friday, October 31, 2025 | 10 am | Meeting point: Entrance to the Research Library 

“Traces of the Peasants' War in the Gotha Research Library” 

with Dr Daniel Gehrt (Gotha Research Library)

Please note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by October 29 at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

November 5, 2025: The library in the east tower of Friedenstein Palace: Tour of the building and library history

Wednesday, November 5, 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) 

Please note: The guided tour is held in German.

Due to limited capacity, please register by 3 November at 0361/737-5530 or veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de.

November 22, 2025: 19th Museum Night in Gotha

Saturday, November 22, 2025 | 8, 9 and 10 p.m. | Meeting point: Entrance to the Research Library

19th Gotha Museum Night

Guided tours through the historical showrooms of the Gotha Research Library.

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

Note: The guided tours are held in German.

Participation is limited to 25 people per tour. Free admission tickets are available at the Info Point in the courtyard of Friedenstein Palace.