Jena Audio Tours & City Guides Jena speaks.
Are you listening?

Jena: Where groundbreaking ideas meet idyllic Saale meadows and history comes alive.

Four Self-Guided Audio Tours to rediscover Jena

A first taste of the best stories the city has to offer. Many more tours are waiting for you.

Shattering Expectations: The Jenaer Glas Revolution – Jena Audio-Tour
Tour 01
©
Image by indeedous on Wikimedia Commons (Attribution)

Shattering Expectations: The Jenaer Glas Revolution

Discover how a restless chemist's obsession with invisible materials transformed a quiet university town into an industrial powerhouse, revolutionized global science, and completely redesigned the modern kitchen. This is the story of Jenaer Glas—a tale of utopian capitalists, Bauhaus visionaries, and the transparent revolution that changed how we see the world.

7 Stops
135 Min
Go to tour
The Lens of Progress: Jena's Optical Revolution – Jena Audio-Tour
Tour 02
©
Pic by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

The Lens of Progress: Jena's Optical Revolution

Discover how a mechanic, a mathematician, and a chemist turned a small German university town into the global epicenter of optical science. This immersive audio journey explores the 'holy trinity' of Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, and Otto Schott. You will uncover not only the scientific breakthroughs that allowed humanity to see the microscopic and the cosmic, but also the radical social reforms that pioneered the 8-hour workday and transformed modern labor. It is a story of glass, genius, and human dignity.

7 Stops
115 Min
Go to tour
Shadows and Light: The Peaceful Revolution of Jena – Jena Audio-Tour
Tour 03

Shadows and Light: The Peaceful Revolution of Jena

Step into the hidden history of a city that lived a double life. Jena was the glittering jewel of East German science, a hub of optical engineering and intellectual prestige. But beneath the surface of this 'scientific city' lay a suffocating web of secret police surveillance. On this immersive walking tour, you will discover how an unlikely alliance of rebellious punks, courageous priests, disillusioned factory workers, and brilliant students managed to break the grip of the Stasi. From hidden youth parishes to the vast squares where tens of thousands finally demanded their freedom, you will walk the exact path of the 1989 Peaceful Revolution. This is a story of psychological warfare, tragic sacrifice, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.

7 Stops
113 Min
Go to tour
Jena's Golden Age: The Crucible of German Genius – Jena Audio-Tour
Tour 04
©
Pic by Catatine on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Jena's Golden Age: The Crucible of German Genius

Step into the fifteen-year window where a small German university town became the undisputed intellectual capital of the world. Between 1785 and 1806, Jena was a pressure cooker of revolutionary philosophy, scandalous romances, and literary masterpieces. Discover how Goethe, Schiller, Hegel, and the brilliant women of the Romantic circle collided to invent the modern mind.

7 Stops
94 Min
Go to tour
City Pass

Unlock all tours of Jena

  • All current Jena tours included
  • All future Jena tours included as well
  • 60 days of access from redemption – not from purchase
Now only €9.99 incl. VAT

One-time purchase – no subscription, no ongoing commitments.

Discover Jena – Stories Worth Hearing

Red Thread is an iOS and Android app with over 1,500 guided audio tours through cities worldwide - including in Jena.

In Jena, where the sky feels closer, Germany's heart beats as a cradle of science and intellectual history. Stroll through the historic center, past the Johannistor, and feel the spirit of Goethe and Schiller that shaped the Friedrich Schiller University. Perhaps less known is that not only were the foundations of modern optics laid in Jena, but also the world's first public planetarium projector was developed by Carl Zeiss and first presented in 1923 at the specially built Zeiss Planetarium – an innovation that transformed the world of astronomy.

This blend of visionary thinking and a love for nature is reflected in every corner of the city, from the historic alleys of the Damenviertel to modern research institutions. The Zeiss Works bear witness to groundbreaking inventions in optics and glass manufacturing, while the memorials of the Peaceful Revolution tell a brave history of change. With the Red Thread App, you'll discover these multifaceted stories anew, whether on a stroll along the Saale or through the historic campus areas.

Jena Highlights
  • Globally renowned science city
  • Home of the optical revolution
  • Green oases & idyllic Saale riverbanks
  • For locals & visitors: Always new perspectives

Start for free – Premium from €12.99/month. Compare all plans →

Learn more about Red Thread

Frequently Asked Questions about Jena

General questions about the app, pricing and features are answered in our full FAQ on the main page.

What role does Jena play in optics?
Jena is globally renowned as the cradle of modern optics, thanks to pioneers like Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe, and Otto Schott. Our tours “The Lens of Progress” and “Shattering Expectations: Jena's Glass Revolution” lead you directly to the original sites of these groundbreaking discoveries.
How much time should I plan for a visit to Jena?
To truly experience Jena's diversity, we recommend at least one full day. The tours range from 94 to 135 minutes, allowing you to comfortably combine two tours with enough time for your own explorations and breaks.
Are there other historical highlights besides science?
Absolutely! Jena was also a center of German Romanticism and Idealism. Discover the workplaces of Goethe, Schiller, and Fichte with the “Jena's Golden Age” tour, or delve into the moving history of the Peaceful Revolution with “Shadows and Light.”
Can I create my own tours in Jena?
Yes, with the XL or Unlimited subscription you can use our AI-powered tour creator to build your own personalized tour in Jena on a topic of your choice. All Infos here
Can I use the Jena tours offline?
Yes, with an XL or Unlimited subscription you can download tours for offline use.
Can I do Jena tours together with friends?
Yes – with Together Mode (from XL plan) the whole group listens in sync on their own devices. Up to 4 people on XL, up to 10 on Unlimited.
In which other cities does Red Thread offer tours?
Further tours are available in nearby cities like Erfurt, Halle, Leipzig, or international destinations like Berlin, Edinburgh, Tokyo and many more. All cities can be found here.
Discover more

Want more Red Thread?

The main page has all the features, pricing and background info. One tap – and you get the full picture.

Go to main page

0:00 / 0:00
Tours