Mission Statement
Mission Statement of the Thüringer Schlösser und Gärten
The Thüringer Schlösser und Gärten considers itself a public‑facing institution dedicated to the preservation, development, interpretation, and transmission of a unique cultural heritage. With its European‑influenced courtly associations, this heritage stands as a treasure of the state and a symbolic embodiment of Thuringia’s history. Thuringia’s monuments of courtly culture reflect the artistic and social ideals of various historical periods – the source of their particular fascination. The Foundation’s guiding aim is to preserve these monuments for the region’s future and to present them beyond the borders of the state.
The central tasks of the Foundation are the conservation and transmission of the entrusted cultural assets in conjunction with educational work and cultural stewardship. As striking witnesses to the state’s history, the palaces, gardens, castles, and monasteries shape the Thuringian cultural landscape. Through their high artistic quality, and as embodiments of architectural traditions and regional history, they serve as places of comprehensive education and culture, as well as reference points for social identification, living heritage, and open‑minded integration. In close cooperation with municipalities, museums, and friends’ associations, the Foundation continues to develop these potentials.
Four Pillars of the Social Mission of the Stiftung Thüringer Schlösser und Gärten
Education: The foundation of all education is memory. Education and knowledge exist in historical continuity. A prerequisite for this is the interplay of living tradition and creativity. The courtly heritage provides the basis for this, tangible by all the senses.
Culture: There is no present without the past. Experiencing art and culture in historic spatial works of art and gardens means the vital participation of society in the courtly heritage.
Identification: Every palace is a symbol of Thuringia – every citizen is a lord of the manor. Monuments, as tangible witnesses of historic heritage, foster personal identification with history. They are a means of self‑assurance.
Integration: Unity grows from a commitment to diversity. Courtly monuments demonstrate that the highest levels of creativity are possible when differing traditions are developed further by strong personalities.
