Gotha was visited by us accidentally. We missed the next train and had to spend somehow 2 hours. After the visit we discovered that the town was a cultural and historical center of Thuringia. The first mention of it dates back to 775. The town was not damaged at the end of the war as the commandant gave it up to Americans without a fight.
It was interesting to find a tram that has been running since 1894 in the town with population of 45 thousand people. But you don't need it as all attractions are within walking distance. They can be divided into two parts: the castle with a large park and associated buildings, and the historic center.
It is convenient to go first to the park from the train station, and then pass to the central square through the castle. By the way, Gotha is very beautiful in the evening.
The main tourist site in the town is the Friedenstein Castle (website). Although it looks more like a palace than a castle. The residence of Duke Ernst I was built in 1656. Its dimensions are quite impressive, they had to symbolize strength and power. There's a museum inside the castle.
Friedenstein Сastle ©Yuriy Buriak
Friedenstein Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Friedenstein Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Arcades in the castle ©Yuriy Buriak
There's coat of arms above each arch in the castle. ©Yuriy Buriak
Entrance in the center of the square ©Yuriy Buriak
Entrance to the Friedenstein Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
Friedenstein Castle ©Yuriy Buriak
More photos of Gotha
View of the Hauptmarkt ©Yuriy Buriak
Museum of Nature ©Yuriy Buriak
Beautiful Bruehl Street ©Yuriy Buriak
Fountain in Gotha (Wasserkunst) ©Yuriy Buriak
Town Hall ©Yuriy Buriak
St. Margaret Church ©Yuriy Buriak
House on the Bruehl Street ©Yuriy Buriak
Main Market Street (Hauptmarkt) ©Yuriy Buriak
Fountain in the Greenhouse Park ©Yuriy Buriak
Fountain at the Market Square ©Yuriy Buriak
Suddenly the horse ©Yuriy Buriak
Graffiti in Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
House with a ship ©Yuriy Buriak
Buttermarkt ©Yuriy Buriak
Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
Fountain with sculptures ©Yuriy Buriak
Fountain with sculptures ©Yuriy Buriak
Graffiti in Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
Marstall ©Yuriy Buriak
American style cinema ©Yuriy Buriak
Greenhouse ©Yuriy Buriak
Graffiti in Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
Graffiti in Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
Tram stop near the train station ©Yuriy Buriak
New Market Square (Neumarkt) ©Yuriy Buriak
Some installations near the train station ©Yuriy Buriak
St. Margaret Church ©Yuriy Buriak
Plan of the castle park in Gotha ©Yuriy Buriak
Map of Gotha ©pizzatravel.com.ua
Booklet with a map and all information about the town (PDF).
Getting there: By train to Gotha, use bahn.de.
