The city palace on the market square, built from 1741, was initially commissioned by Duke Ernst August in the late Baroque style. It was later redesigned in a classicist style.

Today, it presents the Thuringian Museum's multifaceted collections on the state's residential, artistic and cultural history. Among the special treasures are an exquisite collection of Thuringian porcelain, faience and glass, a Baroque pharmacy and 19th century paintings from the "Curt-Elschner Foundation".