Jena – On September 12 and 13, 2026, the annual Monument Days in Jena invite the public to explore historical sites. Under this year’s theme, “NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure,” the focus is on the technical, social, and cultural connectivity of the university city.
- What: Monument Days 2026 under the theme “NetzWERKE”
- When: September 12 and 13, 2026
- Where: Various historical sites and monuments in Jena
- Official Program: planen-bauen.jena.de
As announced by the city administration, visitors can gain deep insights into the city’s infrastructure over the weekend. The kick-off on Saturday celebrates the 125th anniversary of electricity and the tram system. Guided tours of the former machine hall of the power plant, now known as TRAFO, will take place, accompanied by historical insights from contemporary witnesses.
Historical Highlights: Tramcars and Substation
A special transportation highlight awaits passengers on Saturday: the two historic tramcars 26 and 101 will operate between the Nordschule and Winzerla stops, allowing visitors to experience the ride quality of approximately 100 years ago.
The Monument Days will be officially opened at the Jena Nord substation, which also began operations a century ago. Today, the historic building houses the interactive exhibition “Imaginata,” which makes scientific phenomena tangible. Special guided tours will also be offered here on the opening day.
Musical City Walk on Sunday
Sunday is dedicated to music and the 50th anniversary of the Boys’ Choir of the Jena Philharmonic. For the anniversary, a musical city walk has been designed, featuring performances by the choir boys at historic locations. The tour starts at 9:15 a.m. at the “Fauljoch,” followed by stops at the Collegium Jenense and the Griesbach’scher Garten.
Starting at 11 a.m., the area in front of the Friedenskirche at the Historischer Johannisfriedhof will open with lectures, live music, and activities for families. Additionally, municipal museums will open their doors to visitors free of charge throughout the weekend.
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Jena: History and Architecture in Pictures
Exciting insights into the historical development of the university city.
Background: Industrial Culture and Urban Development in Jena
Jena looks back on a long tradition as a center for innovation and technology. The combination of scientific progress, industrial production, and urban infrastructure continues to shape the cityscape today. Monuments such as the historic substation or the beginnings of the electric tram illustrate how strongly the city’s growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was linked to technical networks and energy supply.
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“NetzWERKE: Monuments and Infrastructure”: Jena celebrates Monument Days on September 12 and 13
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI assistance.