Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach, the most famous of a large musical family, was born in Eisenach in 1685. His schooling, the death of his parents and then his work as a violinist, organist and composer took him all around Thuringia. Important stations of his life in Thuringia are i.e. the towns of Arnstadt, Muehlhausen, Weimar and Eisenach. In Eisenach, one should visit his monument and the Bach House, Germany's largest museum dedicated to the Bach family and exhibiting musical instruments, documents and living quarters in authentic 18th century style. Highlight of each guided tour is a 20-minute-concert on original instruments from Bach’s time.

Other highlights include the Bach museum and the so-called Bach church in Arnstadt, the ancestral house of the Bach family in the village of Wechmar and Muehlhausen with the Divi Blasii Church and the historical town centre.

In March and April of every year, the Thuringian Bach Weeks, a series of top-level concerts, are held in the unique ambience of original settings. Other festivals dedicated to the great composer are the Arnstadt Bach Festival and the Erfurt Bach Days, both also held in the spring.