Villa Jahr - room to blossom
In the middle of Gera, a special place comes to life
Villa Jahr combines past and present, architecture and new beginnings, inspiration and encounters.
As an open space for creative ideas, cultural exchange and joint organisation, it offers people and projects the opportunity to grow and blossom. Welcome to Villa Jahr - a place where the past takes root and the future flourishes.
Villa Jahr is a unique place full of history, character and inspiration. Located in the centre of Gera, it combines the charm of times gone by with the courage to embrace new ideas - a place to discover, create and flourish together.
The park around Villa Jahr is both a green retreat and a place to experience. The old maple tree in the centre invites you to linger, while open meadows and shady paths create space for creative formats and encounters in the open air.
Located in Gera's Untermhaus district, Villa Jahr is part of a lively neighbourhood with history, diversity and potential. The good connections to the city centre, universities and local transport make it the ideal starting point for new connections.
The light-flooded rooms of Villa Jahr combine historical substance with modern utilisation options. Whether workshop, exhibition or retreat - an inspiring environment for creative and collaborative work is created here.
Villa Jahr offers space for a variety of uses: from cultural events and educational programmes to co-working and project work. People with ideas find structure, exchange and the freedom to try out new things here.
Our vision is to develop Villa Jahr as an open place for learning, sharing and creating. With sustainable concepts, creative partnerships and a clear community spirit, a future with cultural appeal is being shaped here.
Open Monument Day 2025®
Gera is the central venue this year.
The Open Monument Day 2025 will take place on Sunday, 14 September and invites visitors across Germany to discover historical buildings and sites that are often not otherwise open to the public. Under the motto "Wahr-Zeichen. Witnesses of History", churches, castles, villas, industrial sites and many other monuments will be opening their doors. Guided tours, exhibitions and hands-on activities offer exciting insights into the architecture of past eras and bring history to life.
The day of action is coordinated by the German Foundation for Monument Protection and sends out a strong signal in favour of preserving our cultural heritage.
Villa Jahr in transition
Yesterday
Villa Jahr was built at the beginning of the 20th century as a prestigious family residence in the Art Nouveau style and has since stood as a testament to bourgeois residential culture and the architectural heyday of Gera. Characterised by ornate façades, high ceilings and lovingly designed details, it has been a home, retreat and social meeting place for decades.
Today
Today, Villa Jahr presents itself as a place on the move: after years of stagnation, it is undergoing a comprehensive revitalisation. Its rooms are being filled with new life, its history carefully translated into the present. Where old floorboards once creaked, creative workspaces, cultural event areas and inspiring meeting rooms are being created.
Tomorrow
The future of Villa Jahr is characterised by a clear vision: it is to establish itself permanently as a lively place for education, art, design and social dialogue. As a creative hub where young talents, regional players and international guests come together, it will be a driving force for cultural and economic development in Central Germany (as a counterpoint to Berlin and Munich).