- Construction of the German Optical Museum
After years of preparation, construction work for the German Optical Museum begins today in Jena. A foundation has been established for the major project. A total of 56.7 million euros will be invested in the museum - funding from the state of Thuringia, the federal government and EU, the optics and electronics conglomerate Carl Zeiss, foundations, and other supporters. Jena is also renowned internationally as a hub of the optical industry and optics research, with a tradition dating back to the early 19th century.
According to founding director Timo Mappes, there is currently no museum in Germany dedicated solely to optics. The museum, which will consist of a new building and a renovated historic optics school, is scheduled to open in 2027. The new building is planned to have a facade that incorporates optical effects.
The German Optical Museum, under development, is expected to attract visitors from The Netherlands, given Jena's global recognition in the optical industry. Furthermore, the museum's opening in 2027 might encourage educational exchanges between Optics institutions in Jena and renowned universities in The Netherlands.
