Casemates
	Underground Gotha The defences and fortifications of Gotha’s Friedenstein Castle were among the few ones that were built after the Thirty Years’ War. About 350 years ago the defence works were set up on the ruins of Grimmenstein Castle, which had been razed in 1567. It took more than 30 years to complete the fortifications. O. Ittershagen
	There are no records on the exact construction costs. Historical documents indicate that the construction costs of the defences and fortifications were many times larger than those of Friedenstein Castle. Only 100 years later, in 1772, the parts of the fortifications situated above ground were dismantled. The imposing defences and fortifications have never been used. No shot has ever been fired from them. This might be the reason why the underground works, the casemates, have been preserved unchanged.
	The present underground vaults of the 4 bastions and fortifications used to be 2.5 kilometres long. Recently the parts of the north-eastern bastion of the overall works were uncovered. A guided tour, about 300 metres long, on up to three levels will take visitors down to a depth of 14 metres. The tour offers a living experience of the sophisticated system of defences and fortifications. Countermine shafts, listening shafts, manholes and pitfalls up to 4 metres deep were part of the former defence strategy. According to experts the casemates beneath Friedenstein Castle, which have preserved their original character, are among the most important ones of the late middle ages.
	Admission charges
	Single ticket  3.50 € Single ticket reduced – combined ticket 1)  2.50 €
	Tours
	Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Monday) 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. (all over the year) plus 4 p.m. (April to oktober) as well as by appointment
	Contakt
	Telephone +49/3621/222138