Welcome to Ilmenau

Ilmenau, the Goethe and university town, certainly offers a lot. The city, located in the center of the Thuringian Forest, unites nature, industry and culture. The combination of tradition and modernity has created a very special townscape over the decades. The proximity to the state capital Erfurt, a good infrastructure, low costs of living, a wide range of leisure activities and, of course, the beautiful nature - all these features contribute to a very pleasant living and working environment in Ilmenau.

Panorama

Photo: Observation tower on the Lindenberg

Kerstin Pfeiffer
Kerstin Pfeiffer

Discover Ilmenau

Ilmenau's magnificent location in the Thuringian Forest and on the biosphere reserve offers an exceptional environment for all nature lovers. Here you can walk, stroll or hike and enjoy the peace and quiet, discover historical sights and enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. Ilmenau's local mountain Kickelhahn is 861 m high and one of the landmarks of our town with its 24 m-high observation tower. It is located next to the 20 km-long Goethe hiking trail and is also its highest point.

There is plenty of room for sports and fun for all age groups in our new barrier-free indoor swimming pool.

Town of Ilmenau | Image film of the town Ilmenau

Photo: Swimming Hall

About our university

The cityscape is characterized by young people and their ideas, mainly due to the TU Ilmenau. The teaching institution, which has been operating as a university since 1992, offers 19 Bachelor's and 25 Master's degree programs as well as two Diploma programs in the fields of Engineering, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and Economics and Social Sciences.  The about 5000 students creatively contribute to creating the campus and also the cityscape through various projects and initiatives.
The Technische Universität Ilmenau is a strong research university with campus flair, intercultural diversity and a family environment. 

360° Campus tour

Photo: Humboldt building

Kerstin Pfeiffer
Kerstin Pfeiffer

About our department

The Department of Precision Mechanics and Optics, founded in 1955, developed into today's Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1990. It is characterized by its precision engineering-optical-electronic profile and offers interdisciplinary, cross-faculty and modern teaching in the degree programs Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics and Optical Systems Engineering/Optronics.
The grouping of specialist competencies facilitates collaboration in international and competitive key research fields.

Technische Universität Ilmenau | We are the TU Ilmenau

Photo: Newton building