In the western part of Oßmannstedt, directly on the Ilmtal cycle path, lies the Wielandgut.
Christoph Martin Wieland
Wieland lived from 1733 to 1813, was one of the most highly honored writers in Germany and one of the most influential authors of the Enlightenment.
In 1772, Duchess Anna Amalia of Saxe-Weimar appointed Wieland to Weimar as tutor to Hereditary Prince Carl August. His literary and journalistic work ushered in the era of Weimar Classicism.
To the countryside
In 1797, however, Wieland was tired of life at court and so he bought an estate in Oßmannstedt for 22,000 thalers, which the Imperial Count Heinrich von Bünau had built in 1762. He wanted to build his “island of happiness and peace” here “free from all dependence”.
The adjoining park was originally a magnificent French-style garden with terraces, water features and numerous pools, which was expanded under Duchess Anna Amalia.
In 1775, it was broken up and the estate was put to agricultural use. The fountain house with its large water basin still gives an impression of the original representative design. The baroque grotto with its dolphin-shaped gargoyle is surrounded by historically designed flowerbeds.
Until 1803, this was the center of Wieland's work and life. The death of his wife in 1800 and the financial burden of the estate prompted him to sell it and return to Weimar. There he belonged to the circle of Duchess Anna Amalia until her death.
In accordance with his wishes, Wieland found his final resting place alongside his wife and Sophie Brentano in the Oßmannstedt estate park in 1813. Wieland's short stay in Oßmannstedt and his burial place in the park helped the estate, which was only six hectares in size, to achieve far-reaching significance.
In memory of
The Wieland Estate has been owned by the Klassik Stiftung Weimar since 1991.
Today you can visit the renovated estate with the Wieland memorial. The multimedia museum provides an insight into Wieland's life, work and influence. The exhibits include furniture and interiors from his estate, sculptures, paintings, prints and books.
A European youth meeting place on literary, philosophical and historical topics has also been set up.