Weißer Schwan, Historic inn in Weimar, Germany
Weißer Schwan is an inn in Weimar with dining spaces spread across multiple floors, displaying traditional architecture and preserved building structures. The various rooms show the original layout and construction methods of the historic house.
Founded more than 450 years ago, the inn has retained its original exterior form while operating continuously as a hospitality establishment. It ranks among Europe's oldest functioning inns, demonstrating remarkable continuity over the centuries.
The name refers to a white swan coat of arms still visible on the facade, reflecting the inn's historical role as shelter for travelers. The dining rooms preserve their traditional setup, showing how such establishments once served as gathering places for locals and visitors.
The building sits in downtown Weimar and is easily walkable from the city center, with clear signage in the old town. When visiting, note that dining spaces are distributed across multiple floors and stairs are needed to explore them.
The inn preserves the exact locations where poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe enjoyed his meals, allowing visitors to dine at the same tables as the German literary master. Goethe mentioned the place in his correspondence, creating a direct link to Weimar Classicism that visitors can still experience.
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