Hotel Scivias

Monument for the 1870/71 War

by Kathrin_E

The monument is a piece of history from the times when Hegelstraße quarter was designed, pre World War I. It recalls the German-French war of 1870/71 which ended in a German victory and the proclamation of the second German empire with Wilhelm I as Emperor in Versailles. It is located in the small park south of the Dom at the beginning of Hegelstraße.
As soon as there are some snowflakes on the ground the kids use the small hill for sleighing.

Millennium Tower

by Gerrem

The famous Millennium Tower in Elbauenpark (make sure that you visit the highest wood/glue tower in the world and enjoy its marvellous exhibition on six floors).The tower, approximately 60 m high, houses an exhibition on the development of mankind. With an emphasis on research and discoveries in the natural sciences, it covers a period of 6000 years going from early history up to today. The exhibition area available for this purpose totals 8,000 m² on ten floors, hosting a maximum of 2300 visitors with an evacuation time of 13 minutes. The space provided inside the tower compares to that of 100 single-family houses.

The „Castle“ on Fürstenwall

by Kathrin_E

The impressive castle-like building on Fürstenwall was erected in 1842 as office and residence of the Prussian president of the province. The so-called “normannic” style was popular for government buildings in those times. It is now occupied by the offices of the waterways and shipping authority (Wasser- und Schifffahrtsamt).

Magdeburg

by Kathrin_E

World War II bombs destroyed the old city centre. The DDR regime restored the Dom and a few other historical buildings but they did their best to turn Magdeburg into a socialist city. The typical residential blocks of prefabricated concrete pieces, known as Plattenbauten, were erected even in the heart of the town around the Dom. Along the northern part of Breiter Weg, the main street, a socialist shopping mall was built. The former monastery of Liebfrauen was turned into an art museum, the church into a concert hall.

I visited Magdeburg for the first time in February 1990, a few weeks after the opening of the iron fence. Apart from some visits to East Berlin, which had always been better off, this was my first and rather shocking impression of a DDR town. The air was heavy with brown coal fumes from the heating. Old buildings were decayed and the huge Plattenbauten did not look too good either. A few photos – I should have taken more – are to be seen in my 1990 travelogue.

Twenty years later a lot has improved. However, there was not much historical flair to save in the wounded and torn centre. Instead, new buildings have been erected, huge shopping malls and office buildings. The capital of Saxony-Anhalt is a workers’ town and has the atmosphere of a workers’ town. The medieval cathedral, founded by Emperor Otto I. around 1000, is its main attraction and largest historical monument.

Further away from the city centre, however, large pre-war quarters have survived. First of all there is the very pretty late 19th century area around Hegelstraße in the south. For the fans of early 20th century architecture, there is a large amount of 1920s residential quarters around Stadtfeld and Bruno-Taut-Ring (no coincidence, the ring road was named after the most important architect who designed many of these buildings).

My latest visit took place on January 2, 2009. It was a cold winter’s day. Merciful snow covered all the leftovers of New Year’s Eve parties and fireworks. During the day it was snowing heavily, as you see in many of the photos. In the late afternoon the sky cleared and it was a blue, freezing winter’s evening. In the snow, even a city like Magdeburg looks pretty...

I had been to Magdeburg quite often some years ago when I did some research projects for the regional church, so you will also spot some summer photos in my pages.

This poor city's heart has been wounded and torn first by World War II, then by 40 years of socialism. The latter did its best to wipe out the remnants of Magdeburg's history.

Though not completely. One has to look for the traces of history. Recent efforts to improve the quality of life in this city are visible. Magdeburg is not a place one would cross oceans for, but if you come to see its greatest monument, the cathedral, add some time to your visit and look further round. Not only to learn about DDR times.

Tangermünde

by Mauzl

"Elbe Gate / Horse Ford (Elbetor/Rossfurt)"

Until the last century this was the only access from the river to the town.
The watergate was erected in the 15th century .
On the left of the arch you'll find an iron rail where you can see the highest water levels over the centuries

"The Old Town Hall (Rathaus)"

The east side of the Town Hall complete with a 24 m high splendit open-work frontage was erected in 1430. About 50 years later it was extendet with an open court hall. This beautiful gothic building shows the former wealth of the town. On the upper floor there is a magnificent ceremony hall and a Registry office. The first floor and the cellar are used as museum.

PS: My brother Bernhard got married here about 5 years ago ;o)

"Chicken Village Gate (Hünerdorfer Tor)"

All that remains of the original double gate is just the 24m high defensive tower of the maingate. The lower part was built aroud 1300. Around 1460 - 1470 the Tower was finished in an octogen form.

"Jail Tower (Gefängnisturm)"

The tower was built in 1480 as an additional protection for the castle.
In the 18th century prison cells were added hence the name "Jail Tower" .
The conical roof was built in 1902.

"Putinnen"

These are the two towers which sit on top of the town wall. In the old days the Western Tower defended the passage to the River Tanger to ensure constant access and also to obtain water. The Eastern Tower was used as a custodic jail for the townsfolk.

"New Town Gate"

This gate is one of the most beautiful in Northern Germany. The rectangular tower was build in 1300. The round tower and the arch were added later in 1450. Various Coats of Arms were painted on the arch in 1847. Starting from the left you can find:
- The Eagle of Prussian King
- The Eagle of the Bismark Empire with the signboard of the Hohenzollern
- The Eagle of Tangermünde
- The Eagle of "The Holy Roman Imperial of the German Nation"
- The Eagle of Brandenburg

"15.Medieval Castle Festival of Tangermünde"

from 13.09.2002 bis 15.09.2002

"Map"

Distances to:

1. Berlin approx. 120 km
2. Hamburg approx. 240 km
3. Hannover approx. 190 km
4. Schoenhausen (my parents place): approx. 8km