Van de Velde Building in Weimar

Reconstructed mural of Oskar Schlemmer at the Van de Velde Bulding in Weimar, Germany

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 At the central staircase you can see a restored mural, originally made by Oskar Schlemmer.

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Quotes on Weimar houses

Quote by Jules Renard at a gable in Weimar

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” (Wenn Sie das Leben kennen, geben Sie mir doch bitte seine Anschrift). What exactly makes us think we know life? [German]

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Goethe Garden House

Goethe Garden House in Weimar

The Goethe garden house is a building in the Ilmpark of Weimar. It was Goethe’s home and workplace until he moved to the Frauenplan in June 1782. Here, he wrote the famous ballad of the Erlkönig and the poem To the Moon. [German]

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Red Castle in Weimar

Renaissance portal at the Red Castle (Rotes Schloss) of Weimar, Germany

On the way from the Duchess Anna Amalia Library to the market, I pass a Renaissance portal with a strikingly large number of coats of arms. The windows have colourful lines like fresh make-up. The gate belongs to the Red Castle (Rote Schloss), which was built in the years 1574/76 as a widow’s residence for Duchess Dorothea Susanne. [German]

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Tempelherrenhaus in Weimar

House of the Templers in Weimar, Germany

Many years ago, I came across an old ruin with a misleading name in the Ilmpark. The name Tempelherrenhaus (House of the Templars) made me think of a religious gathering place. In fact, it is a former café that was destroyed in World War II. The mysterious name derives from the once placed sculptures that represented the temple masters. [German]

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Villa Haar in Weimar

Villa Haar in Weimar

Promenaders reach Villa Haar via a long outside staircase that connects the building with the Ilmpark (Park an der Ilm). Trees provide shade during the ascent, revealing a neo-Renaissance style villa. The stairwell inside is not particularly large but enchanted by its lovely wall decoration. [German]

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