In one of his stories, Erich Kästner sits on a garden wall and watches the action on Albertplatz. The garden belonged to his uncle’s villa. Today, this villa houses the Erich Kästner Museum in Dresden. [German]
Tag: Germany
Sundial at the Albrechtsburg
This sundial is one of two pieces attached to a corner of Albrechtsburg. The Albrechtsburg is deemed one of the first palace buildings in Germany. Even from a distance, you can see the towering white walls of the late Gothic castle when approaching Meissen. [German]
Trinkhalle in Dessau-Roßlau
Not far from the master houses in Dessau-Roßlau stands this reconstruction of a Trinkhalle (drinking hall). The original building was designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe in 1932. At that time, he was director of the Dessauer Bauhaus. The building survived World War II but was demolished in the 1970s. [German]
Seven Pillars in Dessau-Roßlau
The “Seven Pillars” (Sieben Säulen) represent an artificial Roman ruin in Georgium. Thus, an English-style landscape park in Dessau-Roßlau is called. Together with the Wörlitzer Park, this forms the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz”. The name of the building raises a question: why does it have eight pillars? [German]
Anhalt Theatre
The Anhalt Theater (Anhaltisches Theater) in Dessau-Roßlau houses one of the biggest revolving stages in Germany. The building was built in 1938 and rebuilt after its destruction in World War II. The quote “Begegnen wir der Zeit, wie sie uns sucht” (Meet the time as it seeks us) originates from a play by Wilhelm Shakespeare. [German]
Bauhaus building Dessau
The Bauhaus building Dessau was built in 1925 – 1926 to plans by Walter Gropius. It served as a school building for the Bauhaus art, design and architecture school. Since 1996 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [German]
ADGB Trade Union School
In 1928-1930, the federal school of the ADGB Trade Union was established in Bernau bei Berlin. The architects were Hannes Meyer and Hans Wittwer. The building is considered a significant example of Bauhaus architecture. [German]
Bauhaus Archive in Berlin
The Bauhaus Archive in Berlin dates back to 1979. Since then, it has collected literature, documents and works related to the Bauhaus. The founder of the Bauhaus, Walter Gropius, participated in the design. The characteristic shed roofs go back to his plans. [German]
Manhole cover in Kühlungsborn
The manhole covers in Kühlungsborn show the city arms. The coat of arms displays three silver seagulls in a blue field. The title Ostseebad refers to the fact that Kühlungsborn is a seaside resort on the Baltic Sea (Ostsee).
Sundial on Reichenau Abbey
This sundial is located on a wall of Reichenau Abbey on Reichenau Island. It shows not only the motto ‘Pray and Work’ (ora et labora) but also Saint Pirmin, the founder of Reichenau Abbey. The two snakes refer to the fact that he is considered to be a patron against snake bites.
Hohenschwangau Castle
From the balcony of Neuschwanstein Castle, I got a fine view of the nearby Hohenschwangau Castle. Whereas Neuschwanstein is known as a dream castle built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, Hohenschwangau was the castle of his parents and his childhood. Living there, he probably forged out plans for a palace of his own the first time.
Dual-gauge railway in Karlsruhe
An interesting detail in the streets of Karlsruhe: The remains of a former dual-gauge railway which used three rails.