Goethe's summer house was a very special place, even in his own time: Until the end of his life, he returned again and again to the little house on the edge of the city. Literature and nature meet in this early poet's house - for its visitors as well. This volume sheds light on the literary setting where some of Goethe's most famous poems and dramas were written. It examines Goethe's design for his first garden as well as his botanical research and early drawings, along with the history of the house's reception. Other personalities such as Charlotte von Stein, Christiane Vulpius, Duke Carl August and servant Paul Goetze also have a say. The richly illustrated contributions bring one of the earliest locations of Weimar Classicism to life.

• Original, new perspectives on a significant location
• The ideal guide for a visit to Weimar