New research into the princely crypt at St Michael’s Town Church

The princely crypt in St Michael’s Town Church makes it clear that the history of the city of Jena and that of its university are closely intertwined. This is confirmed by the extensive interdisciplinary research carried out on the crypt. The findings are now being published in the new book *Investigation into the Crypt of the Princes of Saxony-Jena in St Michael’s Town Church*. The City of Jena and the Collegium Jenense research group at Friedrich Schiller University will be hosting a presentation of the book. Anyone interested is warmly welcome.

Wednesday, 28 October 2026, at 6.00 pm
Foyer of the Historic Town Hall, Markt 1, Jena

The research focused on the crypt, which was restored between 2023 and March 2025, and the four members of the princely family buried there. These include Duke Bernhard, Prince Bernhard, Duchess Marie Charlotte and the last Prince of Saxony-Jena, Johann Wilhelm. The elaborately designed pewter coffins were also examined. This was accompanied by scientific investigations into the burial of Duke Johann Wilhelm. In the spring of 2025, his remains were able to be fully reburied in the crypt.

Reactions to the book and the research

Johannes Schleußner, Head of the Cultural Affairs Department for the City of Jena:

“In Jena, the history of the university and the history of the city cannot be viewed in isolation from one another. That is why it is significant that we are organising this event in collaboration with Friedrich Schiller University. The book makes the research on the Princely Crypt accessible to a wide audience and offers new insights into an important chapter in Jena’s history.”

Dr Enrico Paust, coordinator of the Collegium Jenense project:

“This book, spanning over 400 pages and comprising 31 articles by 35 authors from a wide range of academic disciplines, has succeeded in making the research carried out since 2023 on the Jena Princes’ Crypt accessible to a wide audience. The starting point for this was the restoration of the crypt by the parish in collaboration with the university, the House of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and many other supporters and sponsors. This has made it possible to reopen the restored crypt to visitors and, in the spring of 2025, to lay the remains of Duke Johann Wilhelm to rest once again in their entirety."

Associate Professor Dr Joachim Bauer (Centre for University History Research at the Jena University Archives):

“Since the 1570s, the division of estates had characterised the exercise of power in the Ernestine territory. Following the death of the former Elector Johann Friedrich I, the territory was divided into ever smaller principalities a few decades later. In the 17th century, a political landscape emerged that was always described as a colourful patchwork quilt. The small principality of Saxony-Jena, which had emerged from the Saxony-Weimar line and was a product of the partition of 1672, was a case in point. Nevertheless, Bernhard of Saxe-Jena (1638–1678), who ruled here, attempted – with decidedly limited financial resources – to establish a Baroque cultural centre at his residence in Jena, characterised by a newspaper, the *Jenaische Wöchentliche Anzeigen*, a court orchestra of great renown, as well as a palace and pleasure garden. Bernhard died at the age of just 40, and his heir apparent, Johann Wilhelm, lived to be only 15. This led to the line dying out in 1690, and Jena reverted to Saxony-Eisenach and Saxony-Weimar as their inheritance.”

PD Dr Stefan Gerber (Centre for University History Research at the Jena University Archives):

“Rectorships held by nobles and princes in the early modern period enhanced the university’s prestige. This made it more attractive in the competition for students, particularly noble students, whom all universities sought to attract in as large numbers as possible. And above all: if the sovereign or another prince of the ruling house served as rector, this demonstrated the special closeness between the university and the ruling power. This was important for the university in securing its financial support and protection. For the sovereigns, this was significant in ensuring the training of clergy and civil servants for the state and in securing their reputation as patrons of the sciences and arts – the latter being one of the characteristics of the ideal ruler in the Early Modern period.”