Borkenhäuschen

The Borkenhäuschen is a small wooden hut in Park an der Ilm covered entirely with spruce bark and topped by a cone-shaped roof. It sits on an oval stone foundation right at the river's edge and measures only a few meters across.

Goethe had this hut built in 1778 as a gift celebrating the name day of Duchess Luise, marking a shift toward new ideas about nature and retreat. The simple structure represents how park buildings became symbols of enlightened thinking during this period.

This structure shows how people of the late 18th century loved simple shelters in nature as a retreat from formal court life. Visitors can see how the park was designed as a place where thinkers and leaders could step away from their daily duties.

The hut is easily reached while walking through Park an der Ilm and can be visited during guided tours of the park. The area is flat with clear paths, making it simple to find and explore.

The walls are not made of wood but are entirely covered with real tree bark, giving the building a raw, natural look that weathers visibly over time. This material choice was intentional, reflecting the period's desire to blur the line between building and forest.