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Jena

Shattering Expectations: The Jenaer Glas Revolution

4.8 km135 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

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.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Schott Villa & Glass Museum

The elegant former home of Otto Schott, where the chemical formula for heat-resistant borosilicate glass was perfected.

Schott Villa & Glass Museum

Image by indeedous on Wikimedia Commons (Attribution)

1.19 km • 18 min
2

STOP 2

Schott AG Jena Plant

The massive industrial complex where borosilicate glass was scaled from laboratory experiments to global mass production.

Schott AG Jena Plant

Image by Michael Köhler on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

1.94 km • 30 min
3

STOP 3

Volkshaus Jena

A monumental public building funded by glass wealth, designed to provide education, culture, and hygiene to the working class.

Volkshaus Jena

Image by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.12 km • 2 min
4

STOP 4

Ernst-Abbe-Denkmal

A memorial dedicated to Ernst Abbe, the mathematician whose theoretical work made the perfection of Jenaer Glas possible.

Ernst-Abbe-Denkmal

Image by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.13 km • 2 min
5

STOP 5

Deutsches Optisches Museum

A museum showcasing the optical instruments that first utilized the flawless clarity of Jenaer Glas, revolutionizing global science.

Deutsches Optisches Museum

Image by ginnyTheCat on Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

1.02 km • 16 min
6

STOP 6

Stadtmuseum Jena

Home to the iconic Wagenfeld tea set, illustrating how Bauhaus design and Jenaer Glas transformed domestic life.

Stadtmuseum Jena

Image by Dguendel on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.42 km • 6 min
7

END

Kaffeehaus Gräfe

A historic local café where the sensory experience of drinking from glass brings the tour's themes into the present moment.

Kaffeehaus Gräfe

Image by Sarkana on Wikimedia Commons (FAL)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Design lovers, history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the hidden stories behind everyday objects.
  • Best time Daytime, preferably between Tuesday and Sunday when the museums and the Volkshaus are open to the public.
  • Museum Hours Check the opening times for the Glass Museum and Optical Museum in advance.
  • Comfortable Shoes The walk involves some distance between the industrial plant and the city center.
  • Café Stop Plan to actually sit down and order a drink at the final stop to complete the experience.
  • Weather Prep Bring an umbrella, as the walk between the plant and the Volkshaus is entirely outdoors.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
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Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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