Historical treasures and an exhibition for Thuringia Day

The research centre, which is based in the former "Landschaftshaus" on the Schloßberg Gotha, is offering two guided tours of the house as a place of remembrance of parliamentarianism in Thuringia. They start on 2 May at 4 pm and on 3 May at 11 am.

Visitors can also take the opportunity to view the travelling exhibition “Auf dem Weg zur modernen Demokratie. Die deutschen Freiheitsbewegungen von der Französischen Revolution bis zur Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts” (On the way to modern democracy. The German Freedom Movements from the French Revolution to the Mid-19th Century) by the “Gesellschaft zur Erforschung der Demokratiegeschichte e. V.” (GEDG), which will be on display there from 23 April to 22 May.

The exhibition invites visitors to discover the early days of German democratic history at the historical site: in 1764, the Ducal Chamber made the building permanently available for use by the "Landschaft", as the “Landstände” were also known. On 2 October 1848, the first state parliament with major civic participation convened here. The exhibition offers insights into the early German freedom movements and shows that fundamental and human rights, co-determination, free elections, separation of powers and the rule of law cannot be taken for granted, but were achieved over centuries.

The travelling exhibition can be viewed on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon (except 1 May) and by appointment at forschungszentrum.gotha@uni-erfurt.de or by phone: 0361 737 1712.

Under the title "Books – Knowledge – Change", the Gotha Research Library is also inviting visitors to two guided tours through its historical showrooms on Saturday, 3 May. Two historical manuscripts honoured by UNESCO with the title of World Documentary Heritage will also be on display. The meeting point is at 11 am and 1 pm. However, the number of participants is limited. If you would like to take part, please register by 30 April on 0361/737-5530 or by e-mail: veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de is requested.