Jenzig

Jenzig is a limestone hill near Jena with a distinctive nose-shaped profile visible from many points across the Saale Valley. The summit reaches about 385 meters and forms a recognizable landmark in this region.

Excavations between 1856 and 1891 uncovered Bronze Age settlements and artifacts, including 28 bronze objects now held at the University of Jena. These findings reveal that the hill was inhabited thousands of years ago.

The mountain inspired Friedrich Schiller's poem 'Der Spaziergang,' which opens with a reference to its reddish glow at sunset. Visitors can still understand what moved the poet to capture this view in verse.

A paved zigzag path leads to the summit restaurant, with benches spaced along the route to rest during the climb. The route is well-marked and rises gradually, letting visitors set their own pace.

The Saurian Path, created in 2018, displays models of prehistoric reptiles based on Triassic fossils discovered at the base of the hill. These recreations offer visitors a tangible sense of the animals that roamed this area hundreds of millions of years ago.

Location: Jena

Elevation above the sea: 385.3 m

GPS coordinates: 50.93974,11.62712

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:28