Memorial plaques
In 1858, in preparation for the 300th anniversary of the University of Jena, Jena professor Hermann Schaeffer suggested that commemorative plaques for notable figures from the university's history be placed on their homes. This tradition, which was initially established with around 200 plaques, continues to this day and forms an integral and unique part of the local culture of remembrance.
In 1987, a "memorial plaque working group" recorded all the plaques that had been affixed between 1858 and 1987. The publication "Gedenk-Tafeln. Kulturgeschichte an Jenas Häusern" (1990) is the basis for all further compilations. Most of the plaques measure around 40 x 30 cm and are made of enamel with black lettering on a white background. Plaques on buildings of the Friedrich Schiller University are maintained by the Society of Friends and Sponsors of the University; plaques on municipal buildings or for municipal personalities are maintained by JenaKultur.
A walk through Jena reveals numerous houses in which famous people have lived and worked: Scientists, writers, artists, politicians, entrepreneurs and many others. Over 400 plaques keep the memory alive today. The collection is constantly changing. Memorial plaques for personalities that no longer exist due to various circumstances (mostly building destruction) are marked in italics in the following list.
The Jena City Archives will be happy to receive information on new or missing commemorative plaques.
Commemorative plaques A - Z
A
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter A
B
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter B
C
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter C
D
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter D
E
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter E
F
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter F
G
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter G
H
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter H
I
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter I
J
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter J
K
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter K
L
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter L
M
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter M
N
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter N
O
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter O
P
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter P
R
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter R
S
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter S
T
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter T
U
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter U
V
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter V
W
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter W
Z
Last name of the person on the memorial plaque begins with the letter Z