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Franz Liszt founded the "New Weimar Association" as a gathering point for friends and fellow supporters, leading to a wealth of stimulating and inspiring meetings. From then on, famous association members such as Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Eduard von Genast or honorary members such as Richard Wagner or Ernst Rietschel, the sculptor and creator of the Goethe-Schiller monument outside the National-Theatre regularly, got together in the "Russischer Hof". In those days, the "Russiche Hof" was the focal point of the late- and post-classical era.

1854

Hotel

1797 to 1806

1797

The first building to be erected on this site was the Löwenapotheke ("Lion Pharmacy"). The municipal archive still holds the site plan for the Schweinsmarkt designed by Goethe. The whole street was to see urban improvement in Weimar - it was its first cobbled street

1799

The first building to be erected on this site was the Löwenapotheke ("Lion Pharmacy"). The municipal archive still holds the site plan for the Schweinsmarkt designed by Goethe. The whole street was to see urban improvement in Weimar - it was its first cobbled street

1803

Hotel

The speculator and builder Anton Georg Hauptmann erected a building on the site now known as Goetheplatz 2. The house also served as a warming room for the needy without the means to heat their own dwellings.

Duchess Ottilie von Henkel-Donnersmarck, the grandmother of Goethe's daughter-in-law, and Henriette von Egloffstein bought the half-finished house for 6,000 taler. At that time, the name "Russicher Hof" was first used, because the two noble ladies wanted the hostelry to be known as "Hotel de Russie" or "Russian Court". It is likely that this choice of name was strongly influenced by the marriage in 1804 of Carl Friedrich, heir to the ducal throne, to Maria Pavlovna, the sister of Czar Alexander I of Russia. However, the building was initially known as "Alexanderhof" in honour of the Russian czar.

1805

Hotel

1806

However, before the building could be used for its designed purpose as an inn, Weimar, too, was not spared the fall-out from the Napoleonic war. After the collapse of the Prussian army following their defeat at Jena and Auerstedt, the "Alexanderhof" was initially used as a hospital for the wounded soldiers.

From 1816 to 1907

1816

Until 1834, the "Alexanderhof" was used by the postal service which again returned to the inn from 1846 to 1857. In the intervening years, the inn saw use for a diverse range of purposes, including as a showroom for live exotic animals or a location for the presentation of art and culture.

1840

The name "Russischer Hof" made its first reappearance.

1841

Hotel

The first mention of the "Russischer Hof" in the town guide. In November of this year, a historic encounter took place in the "Russischer Hof". Franz Liszt met here with Clara and Robert Schuman. To give concerts and to direct orchestras, Liszt took residence in Weimar in 1848 and became the advocate of modern music.

1907

Hotel

The "Russischer Hof" underwent substantial structural changes. Large sliding windows at the front of the house made it possible to access the terrace from the restaurant. The restaurant was extended, a banqueting hall with roof light built and the façade decorated in lavish art nouveau style.

The nationalist hysteria of World War One with the Russians suddenly becoming the enemy led to to a name from "Russischer Hof" to "Fuerstenhof" ("Ducal Court") barely a fortnight after the outbreak of hostilities. However, the name "Russischer Hof" was never completely forgotten, as it was closely linked with the establishment's outstanding reputation.

Hotel

From 1911 to 1988

Hotel

1956

The old name was only restored after World War Two. The house became the property of the Thuringia regional association of the German Christian-Democratic Union party; once again, the "Russischer Hof" became a meeting place for meetings, festive gatherings and party conferences.

1961

Essential restoration work was performed and alterations carried out in the kitchen as well as the banqueting hall, the restaurant and the foyer. The façade was given a less ornate neoclassical look.

The 1980s

The almost 200-year old timber-frame building began to show signs of substantial damage. For that reason, the CDU committee decided on a comprehensive reconstruction of the historic part and linked to it new building work in order to meet modern demands and expectations..

New Year's Eve 1987

Re-opening as a four-star establishment after 7 years of building work. In painstaking work, the front building of 1803/04 was restored, the old yard buildings demolished and a new three-wing building erected in their place. The interior courtyard was covered, creating space for a new kitchen.

Hotel Russischer Hof Betriebs AG + Co. KG
Grand Hotel Russischer Hof
Goetheplatz 2
99423 Weimar

Fon: +49 (0)3643-7740
Fax: +49 (0)3643-774840
E-Mail: info@russischerhof.bestwestern.de