From 16 to 18 October 2026, the Jena region will commemorate the 220th anniversary of the Battles of Jena and Auerstedt. Over the course of three days, locals, visitors, history enthusiasts and re-enactors from several European countries will come together for an extensive programme combining remembrance, education and the exploration of Napoleonic heritage.
On 14 October 1806, the battles of Jena and Auerstedt pitted the French armies, commanded by Napoleon, against the Prussian and Saxon forces. Their outcome brought about a lasting upheaval in the political organisation of the German-speaking world and, more broadly, in the balance of power in Europe. Two hundred and twenty years later, the landscapes and villages around Jena remain deeply marked by this history.
A European gathering in the heart of the battlefields
Organised by the association “Jena 1806” Working Group e.V., in collaboration with the city of Jena, the villages of Cospeda, Closewitz, Lützeroda and Vierzehnheiligen, as well as numerous community organisations and academic partners, this commemoration will offer an immersive experience of the year 1806.
The event will bring together several hundred German and international re-enactors. Uniforms, equipment, bivouacs, demonstrations and historical re-enactments will give visitors a better understanding of the military, as well as the human and civilian, realities of this campaign, which has left a lasting mark on European history.
The grand re-enactment of the Battle of Jena
The highlight of the weekend will take place on Saturday 17 October 2026 at 2.30 pm, featuring a re-enactment of the Battle of Jena in the triangle formed by the villages of Cospeda, Lützeroda and Closewitz.
This historical re-enactment will bring to life the manoeuvres, formations and atmosphere of the battles of 1806, as close as possible to the sites where the events took place. It will be one of the major European events of the year for enthusiasts of the First Empire, historical re-enactment and battlefield heritage.
Three days to discover history in a different way
From Friday 16 October, visitors will be able to explore the 1806 Museum in Cospeda, an exhibition dedicated to the 1806–1807 war in Lützeroda, as well as a historical bivouac in Vierzehnheiligen.
On Saturday, alongside the re-enactment, there will be a range of activities on offer: a farmers’ and craft market, food stalls, exhibitions, a campsite and festive celebrations in the villages involved.
Sunday 18 October will be devoted more to remembrance. Following a commemorative service at the church in Vierzehnheiligen, a new monument will be unveiled to complement the existing memorial. It will pay tribute to the French officers, the unknown soldiers, the civilian victims and the animals affected by the fighting. The day will continue with demonstrations of field surgery, military blacksmithing, drills and a display of uniforms.
Remembering the past to better understand Europe
Beyond the re-enactment, this anniversary embodies a genuine commitment to remembrance. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of war for soldiers, families and civilians, whilst making history a space where the peoples of Europe can come together.
Through this programme, Jena once again emphasises the vital role played by its historical sites in passing on the history of the Napoleonic era. This commemoration therefore serves as an invitation not only to explore a key part of the imperial saga, but also to reflect on the links between heritage, memory and European integration.
Practical information
- Dates from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October 2026
- Location: Jena and the surrounding historic villages, in Thuringia, Germany
- Highlight: Re-enactment of the Battle of Jena, Saturday 17 October at 2.30 pm
Detailed programme, admission requirements and practical information:
Registration and booking for the re-enactment:
https://www.eventim-light.com/de/a/56e330eae4b0ab08ef54583c/e/69e38b15099e143aac7a2c5c
Additional guided tour: «Napoleon, Goethe and the Battle of Jena»:
Saturday 17 October 2026 at 10.30 am, setting off from the Jena Tourist Office.
https://www.visit-jena.de/eventssport/festivals-feste/schlacht-von-jena-und-auerstedt/