Ekhof-Theater, Palace theatre in Friedenstein Castle, Gotha, Germany
The Ekhof-Theater is located within Friedenstein Castle in Gotha and features original stage machinery and sets from the 17th century still in working condition. The venue holds approximately 165 seats across the ground floor and one balcony level, with the historic furnishings and wooden scene-shifting equipment remaining intact.
The theater was built between 1681 and 1683 under Duke Friedrich I as a private venue for the ducal court's education and entertainment. It later became a center for permanent theatrical activity and played a key role in shaping courtly cultural life.
The theater is named after actor and director Conrad Ekhof, who shaped the stage in the 18th century and transformed how acting was practiced and taught. Visitors can feel how this space once drew performers from across Germany seeking to learn and perfect their craft.
Access to the theater is through the castle itself, which is clearly marked to help visitors find the rooms easily. Planning ahead allows you to make the most of the limited seating and available visiting hours.
Beneath the stage floorboards are handwritten notes left by craftspeople who built and maintained the original mechanical system over centuries. These marks remind visitors that the equipment they see was carefully tended by skilled hands across many generations.
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