Hindenburg Memorial
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The Hindenburg Memorial is a building formerly erected as a memorial for Paul von Hindenburg in Magdeburg in Saxony-Anhalt . The listed building now serves as an archive depot.
location
It is located in the south of Magdeburg's Herrenkrug district at the address Tessenowstraße 2 , southwest of the former Hindenburg barracks on the corner of Jerichower Straße and Herrenkrugstraße directly on Jerichower Platz.
architecture
The memorial was built in 1938/1939 based on a design by the well-known architect Heinrich Tessenow . The planning took place in connection with the neighboring Hindenburg barracks, also built by Tessenow.
A monumental hall building was created in the style of archaic neoclassicism , to which a pathetic, cultic and temple-like appearance is ascribed. There is a cornice and an attic . The building is covered by a hipped roof . The color and material of the roofing correspond to the facade. From the south, a 13 meter wide, monumental staircase leads to the hall's only wall opening. The floor level of the hall is 3.25 meters above Jerichower Platz. Originally, there were flames on the pedestals on the left and right at the foot of the outside staircase. The opening consists of a 4.50 meter wide and 7.50 meter high colossal arched portal , the keystone of which was originally adorned with an iron cross . The long sides of the hall are divided by four flat pilaster-like pilaster strips, the capitals of which are decorated with oak leaves. This decor was created by Gustav Seitz . The basement floor below the hall is accessible from the barracks area and was originally intended for site administration purposes.
The inside of the memorial is made of bricks and then grouted. The hall is spanned by a strongly profiled coffered ceiling made of oak. The ceiling has been preserved, but is not visible due to later renovations. Light only fell into the hall through the originally open portal arch. The now closed hall could originally be closed with a heavily profiled wooden door to protect against the weather and theft. As a further safeguard there was a lowerable wooden gate that was only opened on special occasions. Inside the hall there was a 3.80 meter high colossal statue of Paul von Hindenburg at the north end. The old flags of the IV Prussian Army Corps were along the long sides.
The memorial is considered to be significant in terms of architectural history. It is the work of one of the most important German architects of the 20th century and at the same time, alongside the neighboring barracks, as his only monumental building project. Due to Tessenow's publicly expressed criticism of the National Socialist architectural style, he had not received any major public construction contracts during the time of National Socialist tyranny. It is also considered a historically significant example of the Wehrmacht's Hindenburg cult during the National Socialist era and an example of National Socialist self-portrayal.
In the local register of monuments , the memorial is listed as an architectural monument under registration number 094 71177.
history
The plan was to build a hall of honor on Magdeburg Cathedral Square . The standard of the IV Army Corps of the old Prussian army, which until then had been in Magdeburg Cathedral , was to be kept in it . Hindenburg should also be honored. The project was run by the Magdeburger Ehrenhalle eV association founded by Magdeburg citizens. Wilhelm Farenholtz , President of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry, suggested that Tessenow be commissioned with the design. Previously, Tessenow worked as an architect for the company Vereinigte Ölfabriken Hubbe und Farenholtz, which is run by Farenholtz . Tessenow produced the design of a cubic structure that was supposed to integrate the star gate as a portal . However, there were discussions about the location. Lieutenant General Otto, site elder in Magdeburg, spoke out in favor of integrating the hall of honor into the Hindenburg barracks built by Tessenow at the same time. While Tessenow and the Magdeburg city administration favored the central location on Domplatz, the army command prevailed with the current location. However, the financing did not come from the citizenship as originally intended, but was largely taken over by the War Ministry, which took over the costs for the construction of the square and the basement. Construction work began in 1938.
After the Second World War , the neighboring barracks were used by Soviet troops. The hall of honor was converted into a sports hall. After the troops had withdrawn, a branch of the State Main Archives Saxony-Anhalt was housed in the hall, which operates a depot here. This is accessed through an entrance from the east side of the hall.
literature
- Sabine Ullrich: Magdeburg barracks , state capital Magdeburg, city planning office 2002, page 198 ff.
- List of monuments Saxony-Anhalt, Volume 14, State capital Magdeburg , State Office for Monument Preservation and Archeology Saxony-Anhalt, Michael Imhof Verlag, Petersberg 2009, ISBN 978-3-86568-531-5 , page 529.
Individual evidence
- ^ Sabine Ullrich: Magdeburg barracks , state capital Magdeburg, city planning office 2002, page 204
- ↑ Short question and answer Olaf Meister (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen), Prof. Dr. Claudia Dalbert (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen), Ministry of Culture March 19, 2015 Printed matter 6/3905 (KA 6/8670) List of monuments Saxony-Anhalt , Magdeburg.pdf, page 2541
Coordinates: 52 ° 7 '58.6 " N , 11 ° 40' 0.4" E