If the 'king of German literature' would raise his head…
If the German poet and playwright Johann Wolfgang von Goethe were to come back to life, he would surely request a new house and a different burial. This desire stems from Goethe’s belief, as described by his biographers, that brain volume is linked to intelligence. As a result, he specifically requested to be buried alongside another intellectual giant, Schiller. However, fulfilling this wish proved to be a complex task as Schiller had already passed away, and his remains were buried in a mass grave, making it impossible to identify them. In an attempt to honor Goethe’s wish, authorities selected the largest and most impressive skull, assuming it belonged to Schiller. However, centuries later, genetic analysis revealed that the chosen skull was not Schiller’s, leading to the unsettling realization that Goethe had been buried beside the wrong person.
Interestingly, if Goethe were alive today, he would probably not be surprised to learn that brain size does not necessarily correlate with intelligence. Such scientific understanding has progressed over the years, evident in the state of his dilapidated house-museum.
Following Goethe’s death, his family retained ownership of the house. It was only in 1885 that it became public property and, subsequently, opened to the public, attracting mainly cultured and devoted admirers. While not all aspects of the house could be preserved exactly as they were during Goethe’s time, his burial chamber, study, and library remain intact as he left them in March 1832. Despite the turbulent events of the 20th century, which did not inflict major damage on the house, it has suffered from overall deterioration.
To address this issue, sanitation plans have been put in place, with renovation work scheduled to commence in 2026 and expected to last at least three years. According to the authorities, the extended timeframe is due to the complexity of the project. However, it is no secret that Germany tends to face bureaucratic hurdles and complications when it comes to carrying out large-scale renovations.
The estimated cost of the renovation is approximately 45 million euros, with funds to be allocated over a period of just under 10 years. The federal state of Thuringia, where the city of Weimar is located, has agreed to contribute 17.5 million euros, while 10 million euros will come from foundations and donations. The remaining 17.5 million euros will be requested from the federal budget, pending approval from the Bundestag. Prominent figures, such as Claudia Roth, the head of Culture in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, have voiced their support for the renovation, but emphasize that the final decision lies with the responsible members of the German Bundestag.
Roth has expressed her support, stating that she would “naturally welcome it if the Budget Committee could provide a subsidy for the renovation of the Goethe House in Weimar. However, the ultimate decision on this matter rests with the responsible members of the German Bundestag.” In her statement, Roth highlights the significant importance of the Klassik-Stiftung Weimar to the Ministry of Culture and emphasizes the substantial federal funding already allocated to the foundation, amounting to 14 million euros annually for its operational expenses. Ultimately, the fate of Goethe and his house lies in the hands of political decision-makers, drawing parallels to the themes explored in Goethe’s masterpiece, Faust.