Cast replicas of ancient reliefs – some of whose originals adorn the Acropolis in Athens at great heights—will be bathed in a very special light in a new exhibition in Jena. ?With the help of a light installation, we are illuminating the reliefs in different colours of light,? says Prof. Dr Eva Winter, Professor of Classical Archaeology. Professional lighting technician Jonas Grajetzki has been brought on board to handle the lighting effects. He ensures the exhibits shine in the changing light of the day. Furthermore, their three-dimensional effect is emphasised by the varying angles of the halogen spotlights.

The exhibition ?Lichtwechsel? will open on Wednesday, 22 April, at 6 pm sharp in Room 24 of the University Main Building (Fürstengraben 1). There, the former director of the Berlin Collections of Classical Antiquities, Prof. Dr Andreas Scholl, will speak about the historical contexts and thematic connections of the works on display. The exhibition itself will be held at the Institute of Classical Studies (Fürstengraben 25).

The 180th anniversary of the Archaeological Museum is being celebrated??

The new exhibition marks the 180th anniversary of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Jena, which was founded in 1846 by the classical philologist Karl Wilhelm G?ttling (1793–1869). The museum’s holdings were acquired gradually and still form the core of the collection at the Institute of Classical Studies. Only recently was a large part of the collection of casts of ancient artworks, previously owned by the Prussian Art Collection Foundation, transferred back to Friedrich Schiller University.

The valuable casts were once displayed in Jena’s City Palace; following its demolition, they found a new home in the main building of the University of Jena, which was inaugurated on the same site in 1908. After the Second World War, the museum was closed down, but the core items remained in the collection of the Friedrich Schiller University.??

Further material is due to be added to the exhibition this autumn

As Eva Winter explains, the exhibition ?Lichtwechsel? was created during a two-week ?Spring School? in February this year. Another key partner is the entrepreneur Silvio Schneider, owner of Gothaer Gerüstbau, whose assistance made it possible to install the heavy relief casts. ?We have never before faced such complex transport, installation and technical challenges,? says Prof. Winter.

Visitors will be able to see this for themselves from 23 April, including on the first and fourth floors at Fürstengraben 25, where examples of architectural sculpture from the Imperial era are on display. The exhibition is set to be expanded this autumn. From 21 October, further groups of artefacts from the collection of the University of Jena’s Archaeological Museum will be on display.?

The exhibition can be viewed at Fürstengraben 25 from 22 April to 10 July 2026, Monday to Friday 10am–5pm. Guided tours take place every Saturday between 3pm and 4pm. The admission is free.?