Karmeliterkloster Jena

As early as 1382, the Carmelites from Pößneck maintained a branch in Jena. The official foundation of the monastery followed after a land transfer by the order's provincial in 1414. A document from 1418 confirms that the Jena city council granted the Carmelites an area in the settlement of Zweifelbach and the use of the Holy Cross Church. Margraves Friedrich and Wilhelm of Meißen supported the foundation and were admitted to a brotherhood of the order in return. The monastery was the third monastic community in the city, alongside those of the Dominicans and Cistercian nuns. Initially, construction progressed slowly, but later the monastery was able to thrive through endowments and possessions. In 1524, the city council confiscated a large part of the monastery's property, including vestments, cash, and household goods, and sold it for the benefit of the poor population. During the Peasants' War in 1525, the complex was plundered and damaged. Afterwards, nine monks still lived there, and the monastery was likely dissolved in 1529. Subsequently, the complex fell into disrepair and was partly used as a source of building material.

The monastery was situated in the city of Jena in Thuringia, south of the medieval city limits, in what was then the settlement of Zweifelbach. The Church of the Holy Cross was part of the monastic complex.

Today, only small parts of the former monastery complex remain. It is a designated cultural monument in Germany.

• Fuchsturm (Castle, approx. 2636 m away)
• Thalstein Castle (Castle, approx. 3047 m away)
• Binderburg (Castle, approx. 3515 m away)
• Lobeda Castle (Castle, approx. 3936 m away)