The Goethe and University City Ilmenau - Seat of the TU Ilmenau

Short profile

  • Federal State: Thuringia
  • County: Ilm County
  • Number of inhabitants: 38,400 (as of 30.06.2020)
  • Area: 198.69 km²
  • Districts: Core town + 16 districts
  • Lord Mayor: Dr. Daniel Schultheiss

Brief description

The Goethe and university town of Ilmenau has much to offer. Located in the middle of the green Thuringian Forest, it combines nature, industry and culture. Especially the Technical University has shaped the cityscape with young people and their ideas. A combination of tradition and modernity has created a very special townscape over the decades. Young ideas meet historic buildings, so that a steady progress can be felt in the Goethe and university city. The proximity to the state capital Erfurt, a well-developed infrastructure, low cost of living, a wide range of cultural and sporting activities and of course the beautiful nature - all this makes living, living and working in Ilmenau so special and pleasant.

Anyone who would like to learn about the history of Ilmenau and is culturally enthusiastic should visit the numerous cultural institutions, such as the GoetheStadtMuseum, the Jagdhaus Gabelbach and the baroque town church. There you can experience history up close and immerse yourself in the historical Ilmenau.

But regular events also shape the cultural life in Ilmenau. At the annual Old Town Festival, for example, young and old come together and enjoy a variety of programs spread throughout the city center. In addition to the Old Town Festival, there is a pottery market, the Ilmenau Car Spring, the Festival of Lights and the Kickelhahnfest. And music lovers will also get their money's worth at the Jazztage Ilmenau.

If you want to experience art and culture on the move, you shouldn't miss the Ilmenau Art Trail. And afterwards you can go on a short guided tour of the town and explore sights such as the borders of the old town, the church square and the market square, the pharmacist's fountain, the moated castle and of course the cemetery.

Ilmenau is a paradise for sports enthusiasts and active people. In addition to winter sports such as cross-country skiing, there is also a recreational and racing toboggan run on the Lindenberg, ice skating and ice hockey can be played in the ice rink or lanes can be drawn in the newly built indoor swimming pool and winter hikes can be undertaken. But Ilmenau does not only offer numerous possibilities in winter, also in summer you can let off steam. The Thuringian Forest offers the perfect basis for extensive hiking or cycling tours, for example on the Goethe Hiking Trail, the Ilmtal Cycle Path or the Rennsteig. And the open-air swimming pool also invites you to relax and is a meeting place for many young people in summer. Those who want to be even sportier can take part in the annual Downhill Cup or even experience motor sports at the Gabelbachrennen.

"I was always glad to be here and still am; I think it comes from the harmony in which everything stands here ..."

Goethe to Schiller, Ilmenau, 29 August 1795

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