Bismarck Tower (Freiburg im Breisgau)
| Bismarck Tower | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Data | |
| place | Schlossberg |
| architect | Oskar Geiges |
| Construction year | 1899 |
| height | 12.6 m |
| Floor space | 34.57 m² |
| Coordinates | 47 ° 59 '37.9 " N , 7 ° 51' 33.6" E |
| particularities | |
| does not have a staircase, therefore no usable viewing option | |
The Bismarck Tower in Freiburg im Breisgau is one of a series of towers that were erected in honor of the first German Chancellor, Otto Fürst von Bismarck, after his death. It is located on the Schlossberg , in front of the so-called St. Peter Rock. It has a height of 12.6 meters and a square floor plan (5.8 m × 5.8 m). Since the top of the tower is only accessible via an iron ladder, it cannot be used as a lookout point.
Building history
Already in February 1899 there were first considerations for the erection of a monument. The Vice Rector of the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg , Gustav Steinmann , as well as the student body and the city became active. The local council decided to support the request, but not to participate financially. The city pursued the goal of creating an attractive vantage point for residents and tourists as part of the honor of the former Chancellor.
The city opposed the initial plan to erect the monument on Ludwigshöhe. The current location was chosen as a compromise. The foundation stone was laid there on July 22, 1899 . The design was carried out in coordination between Prorector Steinmann and the municipal building department. The construction costs of 16,500 marks were covered by donations from the student body, the Zaringia choir and a loan from the student body. In a tender, the Freiburg architect Oskar Geiges was able to prevail against more than 30 other designs with his design Ein Flammenzeichen be's on the Upper Rhine . After construction began at the end of May 1900, the tower was inaugurated on July 28, 1900. When the keys were handed over, it became the property of the university. After only five years, the sandstone ceiling had to be completely renovated.
layout
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Oskar Geiges based his design on the popular type design "Götterdämmerung" by Wilhelm Kreis . Part of the conception of this type building was that on certain days (e.g. on Bismarck's birthday, April 1st), fires should be lit on all Bismarck towers. A staircase to the top of the tower was not implemented. Only an iron ladder allows access to an intermediate platform as well as to fire pits and the spire. The intended use as a lookout tower for the citizens of Freiburg, but also for tourists, was not possible as a result. On the side facing the city there is a relief of an imperial eagle created by the sculptor Anton Viesel as well as Bismarck's family coat of arms. On the back, above the entrance, there is a plaque with an inscription and double city arms. There is a reference to the architect Geiges above the door.
literature
- Ute Scherb: "We get the monuments we deserve." Freiburg monuments in the 19th and 20th centuries. (= Publications from the archive of the city of Freiburg im Breisgau. No. 36). Freiburg 2005, ISBN 3-923272-31-6 , p. 35ff.
- Sieglinde Seele: Lexicon of the Bismarck Monuments. Towers, statues, busts, memorial stones and other honors. Michael Imhof Verlag, Petersberg 2005, ISBN 3-86568-019-4 .
