When was Jena first mentioned in historical documents?
The first unequivocal mention of Jena appears in an 1182 document. Before that year, the Saale river served as a border between Germanic regions to the west and Slavic regions to the east.
Questions about Jena
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who founded the university in Jena and when did it open?
Ernestine Elector John Frederick the Magnanimous provided the university foundation in 1558 after wine growing declined during the Little Ice Age. The institution later became the largest and most famous among German states around 1790.
What happened to Jena during World War II bombing raids?
Allied bombing raids repeatedly targeted Jena toward the end of World War II killing seven hundred nine people while two thousand suffered injuries. Most of the medieval town center was destroyed but restored after the war ended.
How many students attend universities in Jena today?
Approximately 21,000 students attend the university in Jena today. The Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena serves another 5,000 students since its founding in 1991.
Where is Jena located geographically within Germany?
Jena lies in a hilly landscape within the wide valley of the Saale river with municipal terrain featuring rugged slopes rising up to 400 meters on both sides of the valley. The city center sits at 160 meters elevation while mountains form geological formation called Ilm Saale Plate.