Jena, September 1, 2026 – Under this year’s theme ‘NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure,’ Jena invites the public to the 2026 Heritage Days on the second weekend of September. On Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, 2026, numerous historical sites, technical facilities, and architectural gems will open their doors to the public.
- What: Open Monument Day 2026 under the theme ‘NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure’
- When: Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13, 2026
- Where: Various historical sites, monuments, and cultural venues throughout Jena and its districts
- Program Overview: Full program online
As a significant university, industrial, and former residential city, Jena possesses a diverse landscape of monuments. This year’s focus is on infrastructure objects ranging from technology to social history, as well as technical, technological, and social networks.
Saturday: 125 Years of Electricity and Historical Trams
The kick-off on Saturday is primarily dedicated to technical monuments and the industrial and transport history of the city on the Saale:
- Former Electricity Plant (TRAFO): Located at Nollendorfer Straße 30, there will be guided tours with contemporary witnesses and expert discussions on the future of industrial heritage sites (125 years of electricity and trams).
- Historical Tram: Historical tram cars 26 and 101 will operate in regular service between Nordschule and Winzerla via the city center.
- Substation Jena Nord: Connected to the grid 100 years ago and today the seat of the Imaginata, this site is the venue for the official opening event of the Heritage Day, including subsequent guided tours.
Sunday: Musical City Walk and Anniversaries
Sunday offers a particularly wide-ranging program that links architecture with the performing arts:
- Boys’ Choir of the Jenaer Philharmonie: On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the choir will present a musical city walk with short pop-up concerts at prominent architectural and garden monuments. The start is at 09:15 AM at the ‘Faulloch’ (the city wall ensemble opens at 09:00 AM). Further stations include the courtyard of the Collegium Jenense, the Griesbach’sche Garten, the Friedenskirche at the Historischer Johannisfriedhof, and Schiller’s Garden.
- Municipal Museums: The Romantikerhaus, the Göhre, the Karmelitenkloster, the Pelzerwerkstatt, and the Villa Rosenthal will open their doors with free admission.
- Volkshaus & Philharmonie: This year, the Heritage Day is directly linked to the Open House Day at the Volkshaus and the season opening of the Jenaer Philharmonie.
Discoveries in the Districts and Historical Buildings
Even outside the city center, numerous historical sites will open their doors to interested citizens:
- On the Forst, the Forststernwarte, the Forstturm, and the Bismarckturm (with insights into the current renovation) can be visited.
- At the Lobdeburg castle complex, the city archaeological service offers special guided tours.
- Numerous historical houses of worship such as the Schillerkirche in Wenigenjena, churches in Ziegenhain, Drackendorf, Leutra, Zwätzen, and Lobeda, as well as the Dreifaltigkeitskirche in Burgau, invite visitors to explore them.
- Further stations include the Alte Göschwitzer Autobahnbrücke, the Obermühle Leutra, and the historical Rats- und Brauhaus in Laasan.
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Background: Technical and Social Networks in Jena
The nationwide theme ‘NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure’ builds a bridge in Jena between the industrial development of the 19th and 20th centuries and modern urban structures. Technical pioneering achievements such as early electrification, the expansion of the local transport network, and scientific institutions formed the foundation for Jena’s rise to an internationally recognized innovation hub. At the same time, social infrastructure such as cemeteries, churches, and educational institutions illustrate the city’s social cohesion over the centuries.
Complete Program and Current Information
Visitors can find the complete printed program booklet at the Jena Tourist Information and at the City Museum. All up-to-date information, detailed opening hours of individual monuments, and notices regarding any short-term program changes are provided by the city administration online in the City of Jena portal.
Source:
‘NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure’ – Heritage Days 2026 in Jena
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.