The ?ArchitekTOUREN? exhibition organized by Friedrich Schiller University Jena's Classical Archaeology chair is breaking new ground: For the first time, an exhibition is being shown simultaneously at three different locations. The historical models of ancient buildings from the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg will be shown in the University Main Building (Fürstengraben 1), in the exhibition room of the Thuringian University and State Library (Bibliotheksplatz 2) and in the Institute of Classics (Fürstengraben 25).

The exhibition will open on Wednesday, 22 October at 6 pm. The vernissage will take place in the Rosens?le of the University (Fürstengraben 27), from where the exhibition venues will be visited. The exhibition will be on display until 14 February 2026.

Showing the great potential of three-dimensional representations

?We are showing models of ancient buildings that August Bernhard von Lindenau acquired at the beginning of the 19th century, primarily in Italy?, says Prof. Dr Eva Winter, Professor of Classical Archaeology. The Altenburg statesman and patron of the arts Lindenau (1779–1854) went on a shopping spree following his Grand Tour of Italy: ?He was late to the game and apparently bought everything that was offered to him.?

Some of the pieces on display were probably presented as souvenirs, essentially knick-knacks. Nevertheless, Eva Winter emphasizes the value of the exhibited pieces: ?The models show the great didactic potential and the broad functional spectrum of three-dimensional representations.? The models are made of cork, stone, terracotta and bronze. In some cases, miniaturized columns were produced, with antique building materials serving as raw materials.

August Bernhard von Lindenau acquired the models as teaching material for a drawing school for boys, that he established in Altenburg. The models were made both in Italian workshops and in manufactories in Germany. For example, there are models from the Naumann pottery factory in Plottendorf, which were made of terracotta.

Some of these models are on display in the exhibition room in the University Main Building (Fürstengraben 1). Other pieces were created by the former confectioner Carl May, who came from Erfurt. Works from the Roman workshop of Luigi Carotti are also on display. The numerous workshops illustrate how large the market for the models was; at the same time, they are evidence of the continuing enthusiasm for classical antiquity, which was regarded as exemplary in art and architecture.

On the frieze, men are transformed into dolphins

A very special model is on display in the exhibition cabinet of the Thuringian University and State Library (ThULB): a miniaturized representation of the Lysicrates Monument, the original of which was created in Athens around 335/334 BC. ?We are also presenting historical drawings and photographs of the monument?, says Prof. Winter. The frieze with a mythological depiction of men being transformed into dolphins is particularly worth seeing. Graphics, drawings, floor plans and photographs also complement the models in other exhibits. In this respect, the exhibition also shows a piece of media history, says Eva Winter.

At the opening of the exhibition in the Rosens?le (Fürstengraben 27), Prof. Dr Eva Winter will give a short introduction to the works on display, which are on loan to the Jena collection because the Lindenau Museum in Altenburg is being restored. Afterwards, visitors are invited to take a tour of the show, including the exhibition rooms in the ThULB and the University Main Building.

Opening hours and guided tours

?ArchitekTOUREN? is open at the Institute of Classis on Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm and on Fridays/Saturdays 1 pm to 6 pm. In the ThULB, the exhibits can be viewed from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, the same times apply from Monday to Saturday in the University Main Building. The entire exhibition will be on display until 14 February 2026.

Thematic guided tours are offered at the individual locations every Saturday at 3 pm. The topics can be found on the homepage of the Institute of Classics at https://www.gw.uni-jena.de/81433/ausstellung-architektouren,?de further guided tours are available on request: antikensammlungen@uni-jena.de.