The history of the Wartburg Collection covers two centuries. The collection began at a time when the German Romantics rediscovered German tradition in art and culture in general and were reminded of the German Middle Ages.

In 1815, Wolfgang von Goethe suggested using the castle as a museum to display medieval exhibits from Schloss Blankenhain.

Using Goethe's idea of a museum, the Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna and her son, Carl Alexander of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, laid the foundation for an art collection that would focus on Europe. The main emphasis of the collection up to the present day has been the important historical and architectural epochs of the Wartburg: the High Middle Ages, the Late Middle Ages, the early modern period and the art of the 19th century.

Treasures from the medieval time - a Gothic aquamanile or a splendidly decorated reliquary- are waiting for the visitor. One can also find the unique "Dürer Cupboard,", the world famous paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the historic cutlery collection of the Baron Gottfried von und zu Egloffstein. These exemplary pieces will stir your curiosity about this exquisite and surprising collection.