Ekhof-Theatre Gotha

The Ekhof-Theater stands in the western tower of Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha, Thuringia. Built between 1681 and 1683 as a court theatre for Frederick I of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, it was installed in the former ballroom of the palace. The stage machinery, still operated by hand, dates from the 17th century and remains fully functional. Under Ernest II in the late 18th century, the theatre employed a paid ensemble led by Conrad Ekhof, making it one of the first court theatres to do so. Performances included works by Shakespeare, Molière and Lessing, with paying citizens allowed to attend. The theatre is now a museum open to visitors as part of Schloss Friedenstein tours. Since 1996, the annual Ekhof-Festival presents Baroque plays and operas in historically accurate productions. The festival also includes readings and concerts, organised by the Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha since 2010. The hall seats 165 spectators, while the upper tier remains closed to the public. Other events such as the Pfingstfestival of the Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach also use the stage. Inside, the theatre retains its original Baroque interior with a painted ceiling and tiered seating arranged in a horseshoe shape. The stage features manually controlled machinery for flying scenery and scene changes, a rare survival from the 17th century. Visitors can walk through the auditorium and view the stage from the stalls. Guided tours explain the theatre’s history and the work of Conrad Ekhof. The surrounding Schloss Friedenstein, a large Baroque palace, adds to the historic atmosphere of the visit.