Shakespeare 'Shakespeare' of German literature

The work of determining the body of Friedrich Schiller - the great German poet, tragedy and philosopher, will be arduous after the researchers found that none of the 23 skulls at Cemetery is yours.

Picture 1 of Shakespeare 'Shakespeare' of German literature

So where is Friedrich Schiller's corpse? This is a big question so far without a solution.

Schiller's body is buried in a tomb in the Jacobs cemetery in Weimar in eastern Germany. This is also where Germany buried outstanding citizens. However, his body was confused with the bodies of 22 others and no one knew exactly which Schiller's body was.

At that time, Mayor Weimar Carl Leberecht Schwabe, who also admired Schiller, claimed that the biggest skull was definitely poet's. This skull, together with a well-matched mist, was buried in Jacobs in 1827. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Schiller's friend, was also buried next to him in 1832.

Every year, dozens of tourists flock to the city of Weimar to visit the grave of Friedrich Schiller. But now, the results of a recently published, two-year study show that the tomb's body - including the skull and the skeleton, is not the poet's.

Picture 2 of Shakespeare 'Shakespeare' of German literature

The skull was believed by Friedrich Schiller for 180 years.However, researchers have proved the opposite.

The study - called the "Friedrich Schiller Code", was co-conducted by the German MDR TV, Weimar Classics and a group of international scientists.

During the 180-year period, this skull was believed to be Schiller's because it resembled the poet's face when he died and his contemporary portraits. DNA tests also prove, two other skulls that some claim to be Schiller's are not his.

Experts compared the DNA of his relatives' DNA and DNA.

Picture 3 of Shakespeare 'Shakespeare' of German literature

Experts compared DNA from the skull believed to be Schiller's DNA with his closest relatives.The team found that the skull belonged to a third unidentified person.


Hellmut Seemann, president of Weimar Classics, said: 'Two years ago, I was sure we could prove that the skull was the poet's. Now we have proved the opposite '.

'But the most important thing is we are not worried about the truth about Schiller's corpse. And now I'm glad that the results of the investigation are very clear. '

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Schiller's tomb is located next to the tomb of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - the German poet, playwright, novelist, writer, scientist, painter and friend of Schiller.

Schiller, who died in 1805, is one of the most revered poets in Germany. His famous works include plays like 'The Robbers' ( 'Bandits' ) and 'Intrigue and Love' ( 'Conspiracy and Love' ). Schiller is also known as 'Shakespeare of German literature'.

Mr. Seemann said Schiller's body is definitely still somewhere in the cemetery Jacobs but added that Weimar Classics may not participate in a new search.

However, the research results also raised a curious suspicion: 'That skull cannot appear in the casket by accident'. One researcher suggested that Schiller's skull might have been stolen in the 19th century and replaced by a cast-like skull.