You only see what you know (Goethe)
In this building, the Belgian architect Henry van de Velde lived from 1908 to 1917. House and furnishings were designed by himself. Allegedly, the layout of the building is designed like a ship. Together with the mast on the roadside, my pic reminds to an upside-down boat, at least. [German]
The Cranach House was built in the years 1547 to 1549 by the Renaissance master builder Nikolaus Gromann for the ducal chancellor Christian Brück. Its present name reminds us of the presence of the painter Lucas Cranach, the Elder. He spent his last months here. [German]
The original mausoleum was built as a family grave for Chamberlain Christoph Jenichsen in 1715. The name Kassengewölbe refers to the Landschaftskassendirektorium (provincial treasury), which became the owner of this place in 1742. [German]
The manhole covers of Jena display the city arms. In the middle, archangel Michael pushes a lance into a dragon’s mouth. The upright black lion refers to the Margraves of Meissen. Noteworthy is the bunch of grapes below the dragon. [German]
During a stay at an IBIS hotel in Erfurt, I had this view from my room: It shows the ruins of the Barfüsserkirche, a church named after an order of the Franciscan (Barfüsser). A bombing raid destroyed the building in 1944.
The Van de Velde Building was designed by Henry van de Velde for the Grand Ducal Saxon School of Arts and Crafts. Today it houses the Faculty of Art and Design of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. At the central staircase you can see a restored mural, originally made by Oskar Schlemmer.
The quotes on the house walls of Weimar are a challenge for attentive walks. They inspire not only to look at gable ends but also to reflect. This quote from Jules Renard made me pensive: “If you know life, please give me its address”. [German]
This building, designed by Henry van de Velde, saw its completion in 1911. At that time, it housed the sculptors’ studios at the Grand Ducal Saxon Art School. Today, it forms the main building of the Bauhaus University and is considered a World Heritage Site.
The excursion along the Ilm Valley Cycle Path (Ilmtal-Radweg) takes us to the intriguing garden of Kromsdorf Palace. 64 stone busts adorn the garden wall. The exact assignment of the busts is controversial, which increases the appeal of a walk. [German]
This showcase in the Romantikerhaus in Jena recalls that Johann Wolfgang von Goethe also worked as a scientist. For example, he dealt with the incisive bone. Contrary to his assumption, he was not the discoverer of this bone. [German]
The Old Synagogue in Erfurt is considered the oldest synagogue in Central Europe, which has been preserved up to its roof. Some parts of it date back to the 11th century. Its cellar houses the famous Erfurt Treasure found near the synagogue.
Promenaders reach Villa Haar via a long outside staircase that connects the building with the Ilmpark. Trees provide shade during the ascent, revealing a neo-Renaissance style villa. The stairwell surprises with romantic wall paintings. [German]