Gotha, the gateway to the Thuringian Forest, experienced perhaps the most significant changes in its 1,200-year history after the end of World War II. With over 200 mostly unpublished photos, this illustrated book vividly documents the period between 1945 and 1990 for the first time. It showcases the time of new beginnings after 1945, the transformation of the cityscape, everyday life under socialism, as well as the dramatic events of the turning point. This includes both views of public life and insights into the private daily lives of the people of Gotha. The majority of the images come from the extensive estate of the renowned photographer Ernst Prause (1937-2002). Matthias Wenzel is a profound expert on Gotha's history. With his accompanying texts, he invites readers on an unvarnished journey through four and a half decades of the tumultuous history of the former residence city.