Jena Maps

Jena is a city in Thuringia, Germany, located on the Saale River with approximately 110,000 inhabitants. Known as a center of optical and precision instrument manufacturing, the city's economy and reputation have been shaped by companies like Carl Zeiss and Schott Glass. Jena also has a rich intellectual history, with philosophers Hegel, Schelling, and Fichte teaching at the university during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The JenTower, a 144-meter-high cylindrical skyscraper built in 1972, dominates the skyline and houses offices and a restaurant with observation deck. The Jena Phyletisches Museum, established by Ernst Haeckel in 1908, displays evolution and biodiversity exhibits. The Optical Museum documents the history of optics and microscopy, reflecting the city's industrial heritage. The Stadtkirche St. Michael contains the tomb of reformer Martin Luther's opponent, Johann Tetzel.

Friedrich Schiller University Jena, founded in 1558, maintains strong traditions in science and humanities. Carl Zeiss founded his workshop here in 1846, developing microscopes and optical instruments that revolutionized science. The Zeiss Planetarium, opened in 1926, was the world's oldest continuously operating planetarium until its closure for renovation.

Jena's economy remains centered on optics, photonics, and precision instruments, with numerous high-tech companies and research institutes. The city bills itself as "City of Science" and hosts several Max Planck Institutes. The surrounding hills offer hiking and the distinctive geological formations of the Saale valley create scenic landscapes.