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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact
Online-Reservation
Directions
Legal information/ GTC