Goethe and Schiller Archives

The Goethe and Schiller Archives is a literary repository in Weimar that collects manuscripts, letters, and personal papers from major German writers, philosophers, and artists. The collection spans materials from hundreds of authors and covers a time range extending from the Middle Ages to the present day.

The archive was founded in 1885 as Germany's oldest literary repository. It preserves works reaching back to the 13th century and documents the major currents of German cultural history.

The archives hold letters and manuscripts that show how writers and artists communicated and worked together across generations. You can see here how this place became central to understanding Weimar's role in German intellectual history.

The collections are housed in a purpose-built building where visitors can view original manuscripts and letters. Most materials are made available on request, so planning ahead about what you want to see is helpful.

Goethe's personal library and handwritten works form a particularly valuable part of the archive and received UNESCO recognition in 2001. This collection offers unique insights into the working methods and interests of one of Germany's greatest writers.

Location: Weimar

Inception: 1885

Part of: Klassik Stiftung Weimar

Address: Jenaer Straße 1, 99425 Weimar

Website: http://klassik-stiftung.de/index.php?id=231

GPS coordinates: 50.98310,11.33380

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:49