The Orangery at the edge of Gera's old town is a well-preserved example of Baroque garden architecture — a long, low building with large south-facing windows originally built to overwinter citrus trees and tender plants for the ruling Reuss princes in the 18th century. The formal garden in front of the building is maintained and offers pleasant walking, with views across the surrounding landscape. It is one of the better examples of this type of princely garden architecture in Thuringia.
The Orangery is used for exhibitions and cultural events, and the garden is freely accessible year-round. The scale is relatively intimate compared to the great Baroque gardens of central Germany, which is part of the appeal — you can have the place largely to yourself on a weekday, which would be impossible at Weimar or Gotha. The location at the edge of the historic centre makes it an easy addition to any walk through the old town.