55 JENA-BASICS FOR NEWCOMERS THE ›SEVEN WONDERS‹, JOHANNISTOR, AND OUR STUDENT SONG DIE SIEBEN WUNDER VON JENA The ›Seven Wonders of Jena‹ are a collection of landmarks and sights in and around Jena. Though the legend of these wonders dates back to the seventeenth century, five of the wonders are still in existence today. To jog your memory and remember all seven of them, you may first remember the following Latin saying: »Ara, caput, draco, mons, pons, vulpecula turris, Weigeliana domus, septem miracula Jenae« Ara (Latin ›altar‹) refers to the passage under the altar of St. Michael’s Parish Church which used to be the only access to the monastery located behind the church. Caput (Latin ›head‹) refers to the Schnapphans relief head on the town hall clock which some interpret as the devil. Every hour, this head ›snaps‹ at a golden ball hanging in front of it (some think this ball represents the typical Thuringian dumpling). According to a legend, if it ever manages to bite the ball, Jena, and indeed the world, will be in troubles. Today, the original figure is preserved in the town museum. The figure on the historical town hall is only a replica made for this very purpose. Draco (Latin ›dragon‹) refers to a sculpture made of plaster and papier-mâché with seven heads and four arms, legs and tails, presumably made by students in the sixteenth century. It is also exhibited in the city museum. Mons (Latin ›mountain‹) refers to Jenzig Mountain. This is a shell limestone mountain which was presumed to be the highest mountain in the area around Jena for a long time and has a characteristic nose form (the steep and bare western flank) which makes the hill unmistakable. The crest of the hill with its outstanding views of the Saale Valley is a popular local destination for short excursions.
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