The article presents the history of Alma Mater Jenensis from its inception in 1548 untill the early 20th century. The University of Jena, also known as Salana (after the river Saale, on which Jena lies), is one of the oldest German universities. Since the 16th century, it has been a centre of Lutheran thought. In the end 17th and 18th centuries prominent professors such as mathematician Erhard Weigel, historian Johann Andreas Bose, physician Werner Rolfinck, historian Friedrich Schiller, philosophers Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling and Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel conducted research or taught here.
Since the 19th century, the University has cooperated with the Zeiss company manufacturing optical equipment.
The author also discussed the collections of the Collegium Jenense and generally of the University.
