Jena, city in central Germany, in Thüringen, on the Saale River, near Erfurt. It was chartered in the 13th century and in 1423 passed from the control of Meissen to that of Saxony (Sachsen). The University of Jena (1548) is here, founded by John Frederick, elector of Saxony, and chartered in 1558. Between 1758 and 1828Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph von Schelling, Friedrich von Schiller, and August Wilhelm von Schlegel taught at Jena. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote Hermann und Dorothea in the ducal palace, later destroyed and replaced by university buildings. Also of interest is the Church of Saint Michael, dating from the 15th century. North of the city is the site of the Battle of Jena, at which Napoleon defeated the Prussians in 1806.
The headquarters of the celebrated Zeiss optical works are in Jena. Other industrial establishments are machine shops, printing shops, and plants manufacturing scientific instruments, glass, and chemicals. Population (1997) 102,204.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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