Jena is a university town in Thuringia which lies at the river Saale. Jena calls itself city of lights. Its city centre is of mainly industrial character. In the city centre is still an old university building and foundation place of the university which is accommodated in a former monastery. At the historical market square you can see the old castle well of Jena‘s city castle. Really nice is that you can cross river Saale on several bridges in the city.

Already during the 17th century Jena used the so-called Seven Miracles to draw attention. Today only four of them are left. Starting with those four still existing, the original seven miracles were:

- The altar of city church St. Michael
- The figure of „Schapphans“‘s head at the city hall‘s clock
- The Jenzig, a white mountain that lights up reddish at sunrise and sunset
- The fox's tower, donjon of the castle of Kirchberg
- The Camsdorf bridge, however at its original place has benn built another bridge
- The dragon, a mythical figure with many heads that was originally intended to be a student prank
- The „Weigelsche house“, a house dating back to the 17th century

A reconstruction of the dragon is exhibited at the town museum. The „Weigelsche house“ also does not exist anymore.

Events

In March or April takes place in Jena „the Night of Black Beer“. In April or May the Jazz Spring  is enjoyed by music fans and jazz enthusiasts. In June a museum market is staged on market square. From July to August an open air music festival takes place in the city centre and lasts for seven weeks. The Christmas Fair takes of course place in December. In addition, throughout the year several events and festivals are staged in Jena.

Sport lovers will be happy to hear that in the district of Münchenroda is a golf course.

Nightlife is happening in the alley „Wagnergasse“ where a lot of cafés and bars are. The „Rosenkeller“ stages several student concerts on different nights of the week.

More information: http://www.jena.de/sixcms/detail.php?id=97320&_lang=en

Photo: Kvitka Nastroyu/Shutterstock