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Latest Jena hotel reviews
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Towering a massive 120 meters above the small town of Jena, the Jen-Tower is one of the tallest buildings in all of Germany. Compared to the town, a mere 100,000 in population, its dimensions are outstanding. It would be interesting to know if there was a town of similarly small proportions with such a gigantic building overshadowing it anywhere in the world. In America maybe, but unlikely in Europe.
The building isn't all that popular with the locals, who view it mostly as an eye-sore with lingering memories of the GDR state that built it. The locals had to struggle with the authorities to prevent its construction from destroying the original university below, but many of the historic buildings that survived the war were razed to the ground to make way for it. This fact has not helped in its affection with the locals, and many called for it to be demolished after re-unification.
I'm glad it is still here, because it's far from an eye-sore for me, and adds something special to Jena's skyline that really makes the city stand out. The view of it with the dense forest in the background is truly distinctive, and could easily attract visitors just to get a view of the town from the tower, and the tower itself. I'd have really liked to have gone up the tower myself, but despite walking around it several times and through the shopping center that now exists underneath, I couldn't find any way up.
The tower has had a number of names. Officially it has been known as Universitätshochturm and Intershop Tower for years, but the locals have given it a number of much less kind names, including Phallus Jenensis and Jenaer Pimmel (Jena's Dick). It is now officially known as "Jen-Tower".
Updated Oct 23, 2011
Showing the history of optical manufactue and the works of Carl Zeiss thhe founder of the factory. The reason we chose to visit Jena, I've always been interested. Many exhibits kept me occupied for a couple of hours and is very well worth the small admission fee.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Carl-Zeiss-Platz 12
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 - 44 31 65
Little Jena town may seem a little sleepy but at night, especially in summertime, the locals get restless and the little cobblestreets are alive with street performers, the famous Kulturarea, and the many bars and restaurants along Wagnergasse.
The famous danceclub is called the Rosenkeller which is set in an original dungeon cellar dated back to the 1400's. There is usually a live band and dancing continues til the wee hours. Other well known hang outs are Kassablanca also known for its live venue and for those who like djs, you cant beat Markt 11 on a Saturday night.
If you prefer more intimate settings, Jena has a wide variety of bars and coffee shops to hang out. La Boheme is great for those winter days, try their baileys heisse schokolade and a slice of delicious "kuchen", or the ever popular Cafe Stillbruch - make sure you get there early as its always hard to find a seat, especially the coveted staircase mezzanine table.
For a perfect 360 degree view of Jena, take the elevator to the top of the Intershop tower. For only 3 euros you can experience a breathtaking view of Jena. If its too windy, then enjoy a drink at La Scala and see the lights twinkle in the valley below.
Written May 14, 2008
Address: Wagnergasse, Intershop tower
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On the Market Square there is the Statue of the Electoral Prince Johann Friedrich the Magnanimous. He was the founder of the University in Jena (1558). In the week there is a market on the squere around the Hanfried. You can buy there vegetables, fruits and clothers.
Updated Feb 8, 2008
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The Town Hall was built in 1368 year. Great is here the Astronomical Clock, wich is the one of "Seven Wonders" of Jena. You can find it in the old town, on the Market Square.
On the pics there is the town hall from the side of the Market Square and from the other side.
Updated Aug 16, 2007
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This is the medieval city walls with Powder Tower from 13th/14th century, wich still are a great examle of the historical fortifications of Jena. The medieval city wall is 12 m high and 2 km long, with battlement, moat, gateways and flank towers. On the pic you can see the prominent Johannisgate ( Johannistor) and the Powder Tower (Pulverturm).
From the tower you can admire the picturesque view of Jena.
Updated Sep 11, 2006
Address: Johannisstraße
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In the old town not far of the Town Hall you can see the St. Michael Town Church. It was built in 14th century - 1380/90 - in Gothic style. The church tower was built 1557. Inside there is the bronze tombstone of Martin Luther, wich preached in this church 1524 and 1529.
Updated Sep 11, 2006
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The University of Jena is very old, there was founded the first University 1558.
This building on the pic is the historic main building of the Friedrich Schiller University called Collegium Jenense. In the main building there you can study the Philosophy (Arts and Letters).
And to the progress of this Facultet in Jena contributed Schiller, Fichte, Schelling, Hegel, Goethe,Herder and Wieland.
Updated Sep 6, 2006
Address: Fürstengraben 1
Website: www.uni-jena.de
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The imposing building called Viokshaus was built 1902 and opened in 1903. Today in this building is the Ernst-Abbe-Library, Jena Philharmonie, Klubkeller Modul, Sinfonieorchester Carl Zeiss Jena und Tanztheatre. The building belongs now to the Ernst-Abbe-Foundation.
Written Sep 6, 2006
Address: Carl-Zeiß-Platz 15
Phone: +49 3641 590013
Website: www.jenaonline.de
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The Jen Tower was built for university on beginn of 70`s and have the height of 128 m and maybe 28 floors. You can see from here the great panorama of Jena and Thuringia. It`s every day open. The local people called the tower not very elegant: Pimmel von Jena.
In the tower there is a bussines center and down there is a shoping center with man shops and cafes. In this tower there is on the top an expensive restaurant called "Scala".
My friend Burki, he is a judge in Jena, every day looks at this tower :)
Updated Aug 31, 2006
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Reviews and photos of Jena attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jena sightseeing.
The Jen Tower was built for university on beginn of 70`s and have the height of 128 m and maybe 28 floors. You can see from here the great panorama of Jena and...
23 members live in Jena
Q: My friend and I are visiting another friend who has been studying abroad in Jena. Any suggestions on the best (and most cost...
A: The train ticket to Berlin is 94 Euro return with an ICE, yes. If you are travelling on a weekend you can buy a Weekend-Ticket (Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket) that allows you...
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1
~~~JENA - the city of the Romantic~~~
Jena is an university city which has a very rich history. There lived Geothe, Schiller, Schelling, Schlegels, Hegel and many more.
2
I'd wanted to come to Jena since I saw it on the train to Berlin last year. It looked so idyllic from the train, located within the dense trees of the sandstone and chalk hills that surround it. The...
3
I stayed in Jena for 2 months in the summer of 1999. It's a vibrant, student city emerging from its communist past.
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Town of Jena an der Saale (Thuringia)
Neighbouring: >> District Saale-Holzland-Kreis - Town of Eisenberg , Dornburg (Saale), B?rgel, Kahla, Bad Klosterlausnitz >> District Weimarer Land - Town of Apolda , Bad...
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Jena summer weeks - my 2003 heaven :)
... was that you can go anyware by foot. Jena is a great place to walk. You can go anyware around the city center in max 10- 15 minutes. You'll recognize the city center simply by looking at the sky...
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