At Gera Central Station, the stop for tram line 1 is directly connected to the station; line 1 serves the city center. The connection to the center can also be a factor in your planning.
Buildings and Theater History
Gera’s historic town hall stands on the market square. This three-story Renaissance building has a tower over 57 meters high and crooked windows. The number of stories and the tower’s height provide clear measurements, while the crooked windows add a distinctive architectural detail. Another landmark in the historic old town is the Church of the Savior on Nicolaiberg. It is the only remaining church within this old town.
The history of the former Princely Court Theater can also be traced through its names: from 1918 to 1945 it was called the Reußisches Staatstheater, and until 1995 it was known as the Städtische Bühnen Gera; today it is called Theater Altenburg-Gera. Together with the town hall and the Church of the Savior, this sequence of names offers a different way to explore the city’s history than the buildings themselves.
City Museum and Cultural Venues
The Gera City Museum is housed in a former correctional and orphanage. The building was erected directly in front of the city wall between 1724 and 1738 and has housed the museum since 1914. The permanent exhibition and the themed exhibition “Romantic Gera” cover around 1,000 square meters across four floors. They explore Gera’s history from its first settlement through the 21st century. This takes in a long span of history, from the earliest beginnings to the present day.
At the Orangerie, an exhibition is complemented by interactive media stations and a multimedia room. If you are especially interested in this format, check the latest information before your visit. Another institution with a history of its own is Gera Zoo: it was founded in 1962 as a small local animal enclosure and expanded into Gera Zoo in 1972.
Parks, Riverside Setting and History
Hofwiesenpark covers 300,000 square meters, lies directly on the banks of the White Elster, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the city center. Its riverside location and proximity to the center set it apart as a green space from the historic buildings of the old town. For a trip that includes time outdoors as well as culture, this is a specific location to keep in mind.
The Küchengarten links a long history of names with its former role at court. It was first mentioned in 1631 and served both as a kitchen garden for the court and as a formal Baroque pleasure garden for the Reuß family. From 1946 to 1991, it successively bore the names “Stalinpark,” “Theaterpark” and “Park der Opfer des Faschismus”; it has been called Küchengarten again since 1991. This sequence records both its changing names and its two historical functions.
For around 800 years, Osterstein Castle has stood high above the White Elster on the Hainberg in Gera. Its location above the river and its long history give the castle its own historical place within the city.
Cycling Routes and Travel Planning
Gera has a direct connection to the 250-kilometer Elster Cycle Path, which runs from Aš in the Czech Republic to Halle (Saale). The Thuringian Cities Route runs directly through Gera and leads from Eisenach to Altenburg. The endpoints distinguish the two routes, as does their connection to the city: the Elster Cycle Path connects to Gera, while the Thuringian Cities Route passes through it. This is a useful guide when choosing a route or deciding how to include Gera in a cycling tour.
For travel planning, the tram connection at the main station remains a useful point of reference: line 1 serves the city center. Check the latest timetable information for your specific plans.
Discover more destinations: Steinsdorf, Ronneburg, Harth-Pöllnitz, Langenwetzendorf, Großebersdorf, Bad Köstritz, Zadelsdorf, Moschwitz.
Go to the main travel overview: Greiz.
