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Friedenstein Castle: Experience the secrets of the library!
Find out everything about “Libraries Day” and the special tours of the “ADEL MACHT STAAT” exhibition at the UNI of Erfurt.
Friedenstein Castle: Experience the secrets of the library!
In the coming days, Friedenstein Castle in Gotha will be the venue for important events that not only shed light on the building and library history, but also present a special exhibition. On the occasion of the nationwide “Libraries Day” on Friday, October 24th, a guided tour of the building history of the castle will be offered. This is led by the renowned building historian Udo Hopf from Weimar and takes place at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The meeting point is the entrance to the research library on the first floor of the castle. Anyone interested should register at least two days in advance to secure a spot. Registrations are possible by phone at 0361/737-5530 or by email at veranstaltungen.fb@uni-erfurt.de. University of Erfurt reports that “Libraries Day” should make a significant contribution to promoting public perception of libraries.
On the following day, October 25th, four special tours will take place as part of the exhibition "ADEL MACHT STATE. The Gotha Court Calendar 1763 to 1944". These are organized by the curators Sven Ballenthin and Dr. Petra Weigel offered. The tours are scheduled at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. They offer visitors deeper insights into the most famous nobility manual and state manual of the time, which played a central role in the history of the European nobility. The meeting point for these tours is the entrance to the Hall of Mirrors on the second floor of the Ducal Staircase in Friedenstein Castle. Gotha Aktuell points this out that the exhibition can be viewed from September 7th to November 2nd, 2025 and represents an important part of the celebrations for the 1250th anniversary of the city of Gotha.
Insights into the Gotha court calendar
The exhibition itself sheds light on the history of the Gotha court calendar, which was created in 1763 in the context of the Enlightenment. The court calendar became the most important genealogical standard work for the European nobility in the 19th century and still has a certain relevance today. From a curatorial point of view, the presentation is designed as a German-French parallel edition, which includes both the “Gothaischer Hofkalender” and the “Almanach de Gotha”. The first exhibition of its kind covers the development and influence of the calendar over more than 180 years.
The tours and the exhibition take place in a historical context that documents the development of libraries and knowledge culture over the centuries. The ancient Egyptians already created large collections, which became known through papyrus rolls and have left visible traces up to the 21st century. The history of libraries shows the eventful development and the challenges they have faced over the centuries, right up to modern digital offerings.
As part of the extensive accompanying program for the exhibition, lectures and discussions will also be offered. These activities are designed to both inform visitors about the exhibits and promote deeper exchanges about the relevant topics. The exhibition will be closed from 2.30 p.m. on October 22nd, but it is possible to visit the exhibition normally on public holidays. Further information about the history of the library can be found on Wikipedia, which shows how library activities and the pursuit of knowledge across eras and countries have significantly shaped culture.