The baroque Friedenstein Palace is an impressive testimony to the art of the newly founded Duchy of Saxe-Gotha. Duke Ernst I of Saxony-Gotha had it built. His deeply religious understanding is reflected not only in his nickname „the Pious“, but also in the name of the palace itself. „Peace Endure, Unpeace Consume“ can be read on the main portal. Today, the palace complex houses the Palace Museum with its Kunstkammer, the Museum of Nature and the Historical Museum as well as the baroque Ekhof Theater and the palace church.

It was Ernst I, nicknamed „the Pious“, who commissioned the construction of Friedenstein Castle. It was to replace Grimmenstein Fortress, which had already been destroyed at the time. The foundation stone for the new castle was laid in the fall of 1643, and barely three years later the duke and his family were able to move into the north wing. The entire complex was finally completed by 1656, although the initial furnishings were to take another ten years. Important artists and renowned craftsmen left their mark on Gotha. They ensured that Friedenstein Palace was one of the most outstanding pieces of architecture of the 17th century. Hardly any other prince had a comparable residence at that time. The highly symbolic castle name is thematized both in the dedication inscription above the main portal and in the relief cartouche above it, which shows the „kiss of peace“. The surrounding slogan reflects the understanding of the builder - „Peace Rejoice - Unrest Consume“.

Inside the castle, rooms from the Baroque, Rococo, Classicism and Historicism periods have been preserved. Today it houses the palace museum with its richly stuccoed banqueting hall and the ducal apartments as well as the Kunstkammer, the Museum of Nature and the Historical Museum. The unique art collections can be viewed in the Ducal Museum opposite. The Ekhof Theater is located in the west tower - a baroque theater bearing the name of Conrad Ekhof (1720-1778). He was regarded as the „father of German drama“ and director of one of the first theaters with a permanent cast. Due to its original wooden stage technology, the theater is considered one of the most completely preserved theaters of the 17th century and is still in use today.