Ancient temples in miniature

The »ArchitekTOUREN« exhibition organised by the Friedrich Schiller University Jena's Classical Archaeology chair is breaking new ground: For the first time, an exhibition is being shown simultaneously at three different locations. The historical models of ancient buildings from the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg will be shown in the University Main Building (Fürstengraben 1), in the exhibition room of the Thuringian University and State Library (Bibliotheksplatz 2) and in the Institute of Classics (Fürstengraben 25).

The exhibition will open on Wednesday, 22 October at 6 pm. The vernissage will take place in the Rosensäle of the University (Fürstengraben 27), from where the exhibition venues will be visited. The exhibition will be on display until 14 February 2026.

Showing the great potential of three-dimensional representations

»We are showing models of ancient buildings that August Bernhard von Lindenau acquired at the beginning of the 19th century, primarily in Italy«, says Prof Dr Eva Winter, holder of the (university) chair of Classical Archaeology. The Altenburg statesman and patron of the arts Lindenau (1779-1854) went on a shopping spree following his Grand Tour of Italy: »He was late to the game and apparently bought everything that was tendered to him.«

Some of the pieces on display were probably tendered as souvenirs, in effect bric-a-brac. Nevertheless, Eva Winter emphasises the value of the exhibited pieces: »The models show the great didactic potential and the broad functional spectrum of three-dimensional representations.« The models are made of cork, stone, terracotta and bronze. In some cases, miniaturised columns were produced, with antique building materials serving as raw materials.

August Bernhard von Lindenau acquired the models as teaching material for a drawing school for boys, which he facility|institution|(structural) unit in Altenburg. The models were made both in Italian workshops and in manufactories in Germany. For example, there are models from the Naumann pottery factory in Plottendorf, which were made in terracotta.

Some of these models are on display in the exhibition room in the University Main Building (Fürstengraben 1). Other pieces were created by the former confectioner Carl May, who came from Erfurt. Works from the Roman workshop of Luigi Carotti are also on display. The numerous workshops illustrate how large the market for the models was; at the same time, they are evidence of the continuing enthusiasm for classical antiquity, which was regarded as exemplary in art and architecture.

Men are transformed into dolphins on the frieze

A very special model is on display in the exhibition cabinet of the Thuringian University and State Library (ThULB): a miniaturised representation of the Lysicrates Monument, the original of which was created in Athens around 335/334 BC. »We are also presenting historical drawings and photographs of the monument«, says Prof Winter. The frieze with a mythological depiction of men being transformed into dolphins is particularly worth seeing. Graphics, drawings, floor plans and photographs also complement the models in other exhibits. In this respect, the exhibition also shows a piece of media history, says Eva Winter.

At the opening of the exhibition in the Rosensäle (Fürstengraben 27), Prof. Dr Eva Winter will give a short introduction to the works on display, which are on loan to the Jena collection because the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg is being restored. Afterwards, visitors are invited to take a tour of the show, including the exhibition rooms in the ThULB and the University Main Building.

Opening hours and guided tours

Open »ArchitekTOUREN« at the Institute of Classical Studies and Ancient History on Thursdays 10 am to 1 pm and Fridays/Saturdays 1 pm to 6 pm. In the ThULB, the exhibits can be viewed from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, the same times apply from Monday to Saturday in the University Main Building. The entire exhibition will be on display until 14 February 2026.

Thematic guided tours are offered at the individual locations every Saturday at 3 pm. The topics can be found on the homepage of the Institute of Classical Studies and Ancient History at https://www.gw.uni-jena.de/81433/ausstellung-architektouren, de further guided tours are available on request: antikensammlungen@uni-jena.de.