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Zermahlene Geschichte / Crushed History

"Zermahlene Geschichte" / Crushed History is an interesting art-project dealing the right way with the wooden sheds of the former headquarters of the GESTAPO in Weimar: They were simply pulverized (=zermahlen) in 1997 by the artists Horst Hoheisel and Andreas Knitz.
And now you can walk over the remains of this building and its cruel history!

Directions: Zermahlene Geschichte / Crushed History can be seen in the innercourt of the state archives of Thüringen in Weimar.

the tourist-information

This was my favorite building of the Marktplatz of Weimar: this beautiful house with the green and white facade, but I could not find any name of it and also no historical informations. It is the seat of the tourist-information nowadays, that is open for visitors:
November till March:
Mondays till Fridays: 09.30am - 06.00pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 09.30am - 02.00pm
April till October:
Mondays till Fridays: 09.30am - 06.00pm
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 09.30am - 03.00pm

Directions: This building is next to the Cranachhaus and opposite of the townhall on Marktplatz !

Cranachhaus

The Cranachhaus is the left (and pink) of these 2 buildings that look almost identical and you will find it on Marktplatz, the main square of Weimar. In this building the famous painter Lucas Cranach the elder and his son Cranach the younger were living in the 16th century and they were painting in this building some of the most famous works of art of that time.
In the green building that is an almost identical copy of the Cranachhaus there is a theatre !

Directions: Cranachhaus is on the Marktplatz, opposite of the townhall !

Marktplatz

In the 14th century this square was used for tournaments of the knights but in the 16th century it became the central market-square of Weimar and surrounded by these wonderfull Renaissance-buildings. Nowadays this square is listed as a UNESCO-Worldheritage!

Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

It was a shock for Weimar and the rest of Europe when Anna-Amalia-Library / Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek burned down completely in September 2004. Fortunately 850.000 books could be saved and only 50.000 were lost forever.
At the end of October 2007 the first 50.000 books were taken back to the restored library .
I had been there in 2006, so my pics are just from the building during the restauration-time, but at least you get some sort of an impression what that library will look like inside.
Every day not more than 290 visitors are allowed to the library !

Address: D-99423 Weimar - Burgplatz 4

Directions: The Anna-Amalia-Library is not far from the Schloss in Weimar on Burgplatz.

Website: http://www.klassik-stiftung.de/index.php?id=37

Schloss Weimar / Stadtschloss or Residenzschloss

Schloss Weimar / Stadtschloss or Residenzschloss, all of these 3 expressions are used for this palace that is another great sight that you certainly should not miss, when visiting Weimar. Already in the 6th century there was a palace at this place, but the palace of today dates back to 1618. The part with the round tower in front is the older part, the giant building of my 4th photograph was added some time later.

Directions: Schloss Weimar is in the very centre of town,at the northn end of Ilmpark and opposite of the Anna Amalia Library.

The townhall of Weimar

This is the townhall of Weimar, that was built in Neo-gothic style in 1847. Weimar has 65.000 inhabitants nowadays. The townhall also has a chime made of Meissner Porcelain, you can see it in my 2nd picture). Take a whole day to explore Weimar and all of its sights or take a least a look and a stroll over the main square with the townhall in great renaissance style and plenty of lovely houses. My favorite one is the one with the green decorations, this building is also used by the tourist-information.

Directions: It is quite easy to find this building, as most tourist-sights are located in the very centre and you can easyly walk there. Schloss Weimar and Anna Amalie- Library are just a round the corner !

Oberwesel & a great viewpoint above the Rhine

Guenderodehaus in Oberwesel is a must for 2 good reasons, when you are planning to travel in the Rhine-valley:
1st) It has one of the very best views including a bend of the Rhine, various castles, the medieval townwalls of Oberwesel and
2nd) It is a really great restaurant for local food from the Hunsrueck and the Rhine-valley.
And there is even a 3rd good reason, but it will apply only to all fans of the TV-servies "Heimat 3"
This building was the home of the family and you can watch it beeing restored step by step in that movie. The name Guenderodehaus is totally misleading - the house is named that way in the movie, BUT even in the movie you will hear, it is just a rumor that this house had a connection with Carolin von Günderode (1780-1806), who wrote some famous poems.

Directions: You can walk up there within 20 minutes or take the car, they also have a small car-parking there.

Website: http://www.guenderodefilmhaus.de/

Marksburg

Marksburg in Braubach is the only medieval castle in the area of the Middle-Rhine, that was almost not changed or adapted afterwards and it also was never destoyed.
Marksburg is the seat of the so-called "Deutsche Burgenvereinigung" (German castle assosiation) and holds a big library with a total of 12000 books.
The castle is 150 meters above the Rhine and you will be able to drive up by car or take a small road-train from Braubach, a lovely village that is also worth a visit !
The castle is open for visitors daily 10.00a.m.-05.00p.m. and photography inside the castle is allowed !

Address: Marksburg

Directions: Braubach and the Marksburg are abot 20km south of Koblenz, at the right bank of the river Rhine.

St.Goarshausen : Burg Katz & Maus

St.Goarshausen with 2 great castles will be another highlight of a cruise through the Rhine-valley. St.Goarshausen is opposite of St.Goarand close to the famous Loreley-rock. In St.Goarshausen you will see some old towers, that are remains of the medieval townwall, and high above the village is Burg Katz, dating back to the year 1370. The castle was destroyed by Napoleon in 1806 and reconstructed again at the end of the 19th century.
Nowadays you may not visit the castle,because it is owned by the German ministry of finances and used for the recreation of their employees. The name "Katz" (cat) comes from the count of Katzenelnbogen, who owned quite a lot of castles along the Rhine. Opposite of Burg Katz, in a distance of maybe 1000 meters you will see Burg Maus (mouse).
Tourists will be able to visit it, BUT only in order to see performances of eagles and falcons flying high above the Rhine-valley and returning back to their home again afterwards. You cannot drive up to the castle, BUT will have to leave your car in a side-valley of the Rhine and take a walk of about 20 minutes uphill to the castle Maus. At the castle they have a small restaurant and cafe !

You can visit Burg Maus and the performances there
between march 20th and beginning of October
daily except mondays. The castle will be open after 10.00a.m.
performances are at 11.00a.m. and 02.30p.m.
sundays and holidays have extra-performances at 04.30p.m.
entrance-fee is 6,50 Euros or 20 Euros for families.
mailto:ulrichvoell@burg-maus.de
mailto:info@burg-maus.de
In St.Goarshausen the valley is quite narrow and I may NOT recommend to stay overnight there in a hotel - the trains are running through town all day and night !!
Drive on top of the Loreley-rock , it is just about 5km from St.Goarshausen and there you will not hear these noises and you will find a cheap and nice hotel and camping-site there !!

Address: D-56346 St. Goarshausen-Wellmich

Directions: St.Goarshausen is about 50km upstream from Koblenz, at the right bank of the river Rhine. You may cross the Rhine there by a large car-ferry in order to get to St.Goar on the left bank of the river.