Ekhof-Theater
About This Site
The Ekhof-Theater, fitted into the former ballroom of Schloss Friedenstein's west tower between 1681 and 1683, still runs one of the oldest baroque stage machineries anywhere to survive in working order — hand-operated then and hand-operated now.[1]
A ballroom rebuilt for quick scene changes, 1681–1683
Duke Friedrich I of Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg had the palace's ballroom converted into a theatre in several building phases between 1681 and 1683. From that year it carried the rapid-change stage machinery designed by the Milanese scene painter Giacomo Torelli — machinery that still works today, operated entirely by hand, more than three hundred years on.[1]
Conrad Ekhof's court company, 1775–1778
In 1775 Duke Ernst II put Conrad Ekhof in charge of a permanent company here, one of the first German court theatres run by its own standing ensemble. Ekhof led it until his death in 1778, and those years are remembered as its finest — spectacular, widely praised productions that made Gotha, briefly, a centre of the German stage.[1]
Questions visitors ask
- How old is the Ekhof-Theater's stage machinery?
- It dates from 1681, designed by the Milanese scene painter Giacomo Torelli — one of the oldest baroque stage machineries anywhere still working, and still operated entirely by hand.[1]
- Who was Conrad Ekhof?
- The actor Duke Ernst II put in charge of a permanent company here in 1775, one of the first German court theatres run by its own standing ensemble. Ekhof led it until his death in 1778, years remembered as its finest.[1]
- Where is the Ekhof-Theater?
- Inside Schloss Friedenstein's own west tower, in the palace's former ballroom.[1]
Sources
- Ekhof-Theater — Wikipedia, retrieved 30 August 2026
Visit Information
Schlossplatz 1, 99867 Gotha
In Weimar's history
Around Weimar
43 km West
One of the oldest working baroque stage machineries anywhere, inside the palace the town is built around.