Haus der Weimarer Republik

Description

On Theaterplatz in Weimar stands the Haus der Weimarer Republik, a memorial and learning center dedicated to Germany’s first democracy and to the adoption of the Weimar Constitution. Since its opening in July 2019, the Haus has marked a place of historical reflection directly opposite the Deutsches Nationaltheater, the assembly site of the Nationalversammlung of 1919.

The building originates in a Neoclassical carriage house from the early 19th century and was already used in the early 20th century as the Nationaltheater’s scenery depot. In the Second World War the structure sustained minor damage; the adjacent former Zeughaus was more heavily destroyed and later rebuilt only to its ground floor. In the 1950s the old building was gutted and converted into an art gallery, with the main axis extended into the ruins of the Zeughaus. After serving as the Bauhaus-Museum at this location until 2019, conversion to today’s place of remembrance began in November 2018; the city, as owner, received federal funding for this, with a total investment volume of around €3.9 million. The non-profit association Weimarer Republik e. V. is responsible for the interior fit-out and operation.

The permanent exhibition presents an interconnected panorama of the Weimar Republic in six chapters. Exhibits, photographs and film sequences are complemented by media stations, interactive elements and so-called time capsules in which historical footage has been newly soundtracked. Across almost 200 m² an immersive presentation was created, offering reading, image, video and audio materials available around the clock. Before the visit, a cinema room offers an introduction, and historic wall telephones provide audible insights into contemporary voices. The revived Künstlergarten functions as an open space for summer events, including music, literature and open-air film screenings.

With the completion of a modern extension in May 2023 the exhibition space doubled; the new area provides room for two rotating special exhibitions annually. In addition, the Forum für Demokratie was established as an events center hosting workshops, lectures and public debates.

A regionally aimed campaign launched in 2023 under the motto “Demokratie ist …” sought to stimulate discussion and sparked public debate. In 2023 approximately 33,000 admission tickets were sold; events in the Forum and the Künstlergarten recorded a further roughly 15,000 visits.