Duchess Anna Amalia Library

The Duchess Anna Amalia Library in Weimar is home to one of the most beautiful library halls in the world: the oval, three-story Rococo Hall, lined with books, portraits, and marble busts. Goethe ran the library for more than three decades, and after a devastating fire in 2004 it became a worldwide symbol of cultural rescue. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Classical Weimar," it is one of the top things to do in Weimar and in all of Thuringia.

Where it is and how to get there

The library stands on Platz der Demokratie in the heart of Weimar's old town, a few minutes on foot from the market square and Goethe's House. Weimar is about 15 minutes by regional train from Erfurt and roughly an hour from Leipzig; ICE trains on the Frankfurt–Erfurt–Leipzig line stop here, making it an easy day trip from Frankfurt (a little over two hours). From Weimar's main station, allow 20 to 25 minutes on foot or take a city bus to the center.

A story of books, Goethe, and fire

The library was founded in 1691 when Duke Wilhelm Ernst opened his collection of about 1,400 books to the public. In 1766 Duchess Anna Amalia moved it into the Renaissance-era Green Palace and created the Rococo Hall. From 1797 until his death in 1832, Goethe oversaw the library, and under his direction its holdings doubled to around 80,000 volumes.

On the night of September 2, 2004, fire broke out in the roof. About 50,000 volumes and 35 paintings were lost, but rescuers saved roughly 28,000 books that night, including a Luther Bible from 1534. After a restoration costing €12.8 million, the library reopened on October 24, 2007. Today it is also a working research library, with a modern study center whose underground stacks hold around 1.4 million books.

What to see

• The Rococo Hall, gleaming white and gold, with about 40,000 books that can still be ordered to the reading room
• Busts of famous contemporaries such as Herder, Wieland, Goethe, and Schiller
• "Cranachs Bilderfluten," a permanent exhibition on Lucas Cranach and the power of images in politics and propaganda
• The Book Tower, a former town tower, visitable only on a guided tour

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the Rococo Hall costs €10 for adults, €7 reduced, €4 for students aged 16 to 20, and is free for visitors under 16. A combined ticket with the Cranach exhibition costs €14. The hall is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until November 1 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter; it is closed Mondays and from November 3 to 6, 2026. Entry is by timed ticket only, and slots sell out on weekends and holidays, so book online in advance. After 3 p.m., pre-booked groups get priority.

The free Weimar+ app includes an audio tour, and wheelchair users can reach the hall via a platform lift.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, even if you only have 30 to 45 minutes. The Rococo Hall is breathtaking, and few places tell the story of German culture, from the Enlightenment to modern-day resilience, so vividly. Pair it with a walk through the Park on the Ilm right behind the library and a stop at Goethe's House.