Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – One duke. Two residences

200 years ago, the Ernestine duchies were reorganised and the Dual Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was created. Under the title "Coburg | Gotha | 1826", an exhibition at various locations in Gotha and Coburg will focus on the anniversary of the dynasty in 2026: While the focus in Coburg will be on Duke Ernst I of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1784–1844), the exhibition in Gotha will present the consequences of the creation of the Dual Duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha for the scientific, book and art collections at Friedenstein Palace. The heads of the collections are presented as experts in the service of the duke. Objects from the ducal collections are presented that are directly related to the change of dynasty or are typical of the (re)orientation of the collections in the 19th century.

The exhibition in Gotha is open Tuesdays to Sundays and on the public holidays of 1 May, 14 May, 24 and 25 May from 10 am to 5 pm and is accompanied by a varied supporting programme. You will find more details about the programme in good time on the exhibition website (in German only).

Dates of the Accompanying Programme (all events will be held in German)
2 April | 7–10 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
A conversation with Dr Nina-Marie Schüchter: WunderBAR – Wunderkammern as Artistic Practice

7 April | 1–3 pm | Schloss Friedenstein and Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Workshop for children aged 10 and over: Curious & Remarkable – Discoveries in the Wunderkammer

9 April | 6 pm | Orangerie
116th Schlossgespräch – 200 Years of Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha

12 April | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour in historical costume: “Die verstoßene Herzogin”

13 April | 4–5.30 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Workshop for ages 12 and over: 3D Workshop: The Wunderkammer – A Cabinet of Hidden Treasures

14 April | 10.30 am–12 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Event for children aged 6 and over: Entwirrte Wunder – Adventures in the Treasury

15 April | 10 am–12 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Event for children aged 7 and over: Taler, Taler, du musst wandern, von der einen Hand zur andern...!

15 April | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – The Rock Collection of Karl Ernst Adolf von Hoff

18 April | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Curator’s tour: Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – Ein Herzog. Zwei Residenzen.

22 April | 6 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Lecture: Coin Minting, Currency Circulation, Postal and Travel Networks under Duke Ernst I of Sachsen-Coburg and Gotha

26 April | 2–5 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Event for adults and senior citizens: Historical Tea Dance in the Wunderkammer

28 April | 3–4.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour for teachers of the exhibition: Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – Ein Herzog. Zwei Residenzen.

30 April | 3–4.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour for teachers of the exhibition: Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – Ein Herzog. Zwei Residenzen.

6 May | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Majolica from Coburg

9 May | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour in historical costume: “Von Napoleon bis Victoria”

9 May | 4 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Concert: Duo ›con emozione‹ “Leise flehen meine Lieder!”

11 May | 4–5.30 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Workshop for children aged 8 and over: Animation Studio – Collection Objects Come to Life

13 May | 6 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Lecture: A School Register. Insights into Teaching at the Gymnasium Casimirianum in 1826

19 May | 5–7 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Interactive lecture: Objects in Dialogue – “Nautilus Pompilius – A Living Fossil at Friedenstein”

20 May | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Treasures from the Library

21 May | 6 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
117th Schlossgespräch – Schinkel and the Court Theatre in Gotha (1836–1840)

30 May | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Curator’s tour: Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – Ein Herzog. Zwei Residenzen.

31 May | 2–5 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Event for adults and senior citizens: Historical Tea Dance in the Wunderkammer

3 June | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Shells, Snails and Other Molluscs: The Collection of Friedrich Christian Schmidt

3 June | 6 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Lecture: “Capital or Secondary Residence? The Consequences of the 1826 Territorial Division for the City of Gotha”

10 June | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Gotha’s Sound – Musical Culture in Transition

10 June | 5–7 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Interactive lecture: Stories of a Chinese Headdress Made of Gold, Silver and Kingfisher Feathers

14 June | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour in historical costume: “Die verstoßene Herzogin”

17 June | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Silver Filigree: Precious Works from Coburg

20 June | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Curator’s tour: Coburg | Gotha | 1826 – Ein Herzog. Zwei Residenzen.

24 June | 12.15–12.30 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Short guided tour: Highlights of 1826 – Ceremonial Weapons from Coburg, at Home in Gotha

28 June | 2–5 pm | Wunderkammer Friedenstein
Event for adults and senior citizens: Historical Tea Dance in the Wunderkammer

11 July | 2 pm | Schloss Friedenstein
Guided tour in historical costume: “Geliebte Großmama”

30 September–2 October | Forschungszentrum Gotha
Conference: Verheiratet, verstoßen, verbannt. Geschiedene hochadelige Frauen 1600–1850