Weimar, a city of Germany, capital of the grand duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, on the Ilm, 53 m. S. W. of Leipsic; pop. in 1871, 15,998. It was long celebrated as the northern Athens, on account of the residence here of Goethe, Schiller, and other authors, and still is a favorite residence of distinguished artists. The new wing of the grand ducal palace is decorated with frescoes relating to the great German poets. Connected with the palace is a fine park. There is a large public library in a small chateau formerly known as dasfranzosische Schlbsschen, containing David's colossal bust of Goethe, Dannecker's of Schiller, and other works of art. A new museum has been provided for the art collection of the Witthum palace. The theatre, which became famous under Goethe's and Schiller's management, was rebuilt in 1825. The monuments include Rietschel's double statue of Goethe and Schiller on the Theaterplatz, Schaller's Herder on the Herderplatz, Gasser's Wieland on the Wielandplatz, and those in the principal Protestant church, over the tombs of the local sovereigns and that of Herder. The same building contains one of Lucas Cranach's finest altarpieces. Prominent among the educational institutions are the gymnasium and the free school of design and art school.

The grand duke Charles Augustus, the son of the famous duchess Amalia (see Amalia, and Charles Augustus), and his friend Goethe, as well as Schiller, are buried in the grand ducal vault in the new cemetery. The city abounds with the memories of the most brilliant period of German literature. The centennial of Goethe's arrival at Weimar was celebrated in 1875.