Cities & Culture
Ducal Museum Gotha
Since it first opened its doors back in 1879, the Ducal Museum in Gotha has had an eventful history. It reopened in 2013 following extensive renovation work and is now home to a fine collection of antique art and valuable jewellery.
The Ducal Museum was built at the foot of Friedenstein Palace between 1864 and 1879 in line with the elegant and ostentatious stylings of Historicism. The magnificent architectural design has retained every last detail inside and out. The building was renovated in recent years and reopened in 2013. The museum is now home to the Gotha art collections, which are truly one of a kind.
The collections stem from the Gotha Dukes’ passion for collecting and bring together Egyptian mummies, antique vases, sculptures and gold jewellery, 18th-century cork models of Ancient Roman buildings, and artistic treasures from China and Japan in the modern day. The highlights include Dutch and German paintings by the likes of Peter Paul Rubens, Jan van Goyen and Caspar David Friedrich. In the next few years, the exhibition space is going to be extended further to make room for a stunning collection of archaeological discoveries, fine art and fascinating memorabilia. Don't forget to check out the palace gardens and the orangery too. Opening times: April to October: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am–5 pm; also open on Mondays if they fall on public holidays. November to March: Tuesday to Sunday 10 am–4 pm