Jena, March 10, 2026. Next Saturday, March 14, JenaKultur and its partners will host the 14th Day of City History. Under this year’s motto “Erinnerungsräume” (Memory Spaces), the focus will be on the historical architectural heritage of the City of Light that has disappeared from the cityscape today.
- What: 14th Day of City History (Theme: “Erinnerungsräume”)
- When: Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 10:30 AM
- Where: ThULB (Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek) and throughout the city area
- Admission: Attendance at all program highlights is free of charge
- Organizer: JenaKultur and partners
Focus on the Causes of Urban Change
The face of Jena has changed significantly over the centuries. Many buildings that once defined the city no longer exist today. Starting in the morning, the event will be dedicated to these lost places. As part of a diverse program, experts will examine the historical, economic, and political causes of Jena’s architectural transformation.
The themes covered will be broad: lectures and discussions will address the influence of significant figures in Jena’s industry as well as general developments in architectural history.
Public City Talk to Conclude
In addition to the specialist lectures at the ThULB and discovery tours throughout the city, the organizers are focusing on direct exchange with the population. The highlight and conclusion of the day will be a public city talk. Here, citizens will have the opportunity to share their own memories and discuss urban development with the experts.
The architecture in Jena is strongly shaped by historical ruptures. While the rapid industrialization led by Carl Zeiss and Otto Schott in the late 19th and early 20th centuries resulted in enormous structural expansion, the air raids of World War II (particularly in the spring of 1945) left deep wounds in the historical old town. Another massive intervention occurred during the GDR era: as part of the socialist urban redesign, large parts of the still intact historical center – including the old Eichplatz-Areal – were demolished. They made way for the research high-rise complex (today’s Jentower) and new, modern streets. This layering of various architectural eras and political decisions makes the city’s history a highly exciting field of research for historians to this day.
Source:
Journey through time into “old” Jena: Day of City History on March 14
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.