History

Ilmenau shares the same history as the state of Thuringia. In addition, Ilmenau has some special aspects of its own. Ilmenau was established in 1341 under the Ludovingian kings. Ilmenau past hands between the Ludovingian and various Saxon patriarchies. 

This city was highly influenced by its main export businesses. It is an area that has always been famous for its glass and porcelain manufactories. Trade roads were maintained between Ilmenau, the larger Thüringen areas, and the world abroad in order to transport the valuable glass and porcelain products from Ilmenau to other areas. From its founding date up into the nineteenth century, glass has been a staple of the economy. 

The city was also highly influenced by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The ruling duke sent Goethe to this area to take charge of the finances and some of the laws of the region. Goethe traversed the woods in this area, and their are many hiking trails that bare his name. In fact, the Kickelhahn is a monument high up in the woods around Ilmenau that contains a few verses from poems written by Goethe translated into several different languages. It is a monument to the influence of this man on the city.

Today, Ilmenau still holds on to its roots, while looking to the future. Ilmenau has kept up some of its picturesque roads and churches. It is still a great place to buy glass and porcelain. It is still a beautiful city full of lush woodlands. Yet, it has now been transformed into a technological hotbed. The city is alive with new technological businesses. This makes it possible for students at the Technical University of Ilmenau to coalesce with mentors and companies with “real-world” experience. Ilmenau is a great place to study the science of the future, yet be grounded in the heritage of the past.

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