Theatre "Liebhabertheater" at Kochberg Castle

Kochberg Castle, former country home of the von Stein family and today owned by the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, is one of the most beautiful places in Thuringia, with the country park surrounding it and the 200-year old theatre. Whole days of enjoyment can be spent here, especially between Easter and the late autumn. The castle, where Goethe used to visit his Charlotte and left "graffiti" on the writing desk, houses a museum. Then the magnificent park cannot fail to entice you to go for a walk. You can stop and rest on one of the many benches and groups of seats. In the late afternoon, you should plan a visit to the theatre, followed by dinner in the castle courtyard or castle restaurant. The Classicist theatre belonging to the former country estate of the family von Stein, with its columned portico, is a unique treasure in a Thuringia rich in buildings of great cultural significance. Built by Carl von Stein around 1800 by conversion and extension of a two-storey Baroque garden house and lovingly restored together with the castle complex in the Seventies of the last century, the theatre has been in regular use for the last 30 years. Incidentally, Goethe never had anything to do with this theatre, which was not built until after the break-up of his relationship with Charlotte, when Carl von Stein took over the estate after the death of his father Josias. The Association "Freunde des Liebhabertheaters Schloss Kochberg e.V." - Friends of Castle Kochberg Amateur Theatre - has leased the charming theatre from the Klassik Stiftung Weimar and set itself the task of preserving it as a living cultural venue. Now concerts and theatre productions are held here regularly, above all in the summer months. Members from all over Germany work together with great commitment and enthusiasm. The association includes descendants of the von Stein family and extends as far as New York. The target of the association is use of the theatre at a high artistic standard, integrating Kochberg castle and grounds, and giving young artists the chance of a public appearance. The concept includes performance of plays and musicals, concerts and readings, together with classical events. The annual St. Nicholas' market "Christmas around 1800" has meanwhile become a traditional event. One special aim of the association is to introduce children to theatre and music. Thus the association presents its own events at the Thuringian Festival of Fairy Tales and Sagas and regular produces children's and puppet theatre The amateur theatre has long had a loyal audience. Visitors from the region have known and loved the enchanting theatre for decades. But, for years now, the castle and the theatre have also attracted many people to Kochberg from all over Germany, from east and west and from abroad. From this year onwards, the theatre belongs to the Route of Historical Theatres in Europe.