German Royal Palaces, Castles and Homes

[Adagietto]

Thanks, that's interesting. I have no first-hand knowledge of Berlin so cannot imagine how the (possibly) reconstructed Schloss would fit into the city as it now is.

[HerrKaiser]

the area around the Stadt Schloss is generally very similar to former times. In fact, the schloss is the only major structure in the area of the eastern edge of Unter den Linden along the Spree that is no longer there. So, its reintroduction to the city scape would appear just fine. The fully redeveloped Lustgarten and museum island areas just north of the Schloss were opened the past summer and are spectacular, integrating the old designs along with some contemporary aspects.

Berlin, like many American cities and most of western Germany, is a hodge podge of architectural styles. The Germans had their towns blown up and the Americans simply tore down the old to make way for the new. New construction in post WWII periods world wide did not adher to much other than modernist ideas of simplicity and stark utilitarian spaces in glass and steel.

But, that is what many cities have to work with and architects are allegiant to their own particular styles and tastes. Compromise usually ends up with a funny mixture. That said, the restaurants and hotels inside are usually quite wonderful.

[HerrKaiser]

It should be noted, also, that the rebuilding mixture of classic/original and contemporary seems to be working in terms of visitors. From an American standpoint, the idea of Europe has traditionally been london, paris, rome.

In 2009, more visitors have come to Berlin than Rome. this is a noteable stat and exemplory of the semi-lifting of the anti-German bias in travel planning.

[violetta]

I`d like to start a new topic on Wilhelm II`s palace in Poznan ( in German - Königliches Residenzschloß). All the details of this palace were consulted with the emperor and he personally accepted many details.

The building of the palace started in 1905, 5 years later, 21.08.1910, wilhelm II was given keys to this palace during his visit to Poznan, called Posener Kaisertage. He visited Poznan again, in 1913, when they blessed the palace church.  the palace consisted of the two wings: the western one (with the private apartments) AND EASTERN WING ( with the representative rooms). Wilhelm`s rooms and private chapel were on the 1st floor. The second floor was for the heir to the throne. The most beautiful room was throne room made in the byzantine style.

representative wing of the palace



the main entrance

[violetta]

a few more details about the palace:

585 rooms

25.127,10 m² - overall space

3 500 -weight of the imperial throne

in fact,i don`t know much about this palace but i`ll keep researching........

[Adagietto]

585 rooms!! I would love what they were all used for. And why a palace in Pozen?

[violetta]

585 rooms!! I would love what they were all used for. And why a palace in Pozen?

i`ll tr to answer your questions but i`m in the process of resarch so i don`t know a ot.it`s something completely new to me. i`m panning to go there on holdays `cause i live in poland.
I believe these rooms were meant for different purposes e.g. private rooms like bedroms or rooms for diffrent cremonies. why posen? after the partition of poland this territory belonged to Prussia. It was a fortress initially (german: Festung Posen) built in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century.it was the 3d biggest fortress in Europe.
plans to build a fortress here appeared as early as 1815 because posen was situated on the way to silesia, a very important region so the prussians decided to protect their communications..besides, it was through posen that the rusisians or poles , in case of war or any other emergency, could reach berlin. the first project appeared in 1817, but construction works started only in 1828. the first stage of the construction lasted 1828-1838, the second stage - 1840-1869.1865-1910 - a few improvements were made.

at the beginnig of the 20th century they did away with the fortress, and wilhelm II decided to turn posen, the former fortress,  into the residential city.in fact, architects created the whole Imperial District in Pose

[violetta]

fountain in front of the palace

[Kalafrana]

What is the building used for now?

Ann

[violetta]

What is the building used for now?

Ann

Since 2002 sculptures have been presented here as a part of sn international cultural festival. this year they are planning to have some festivities devoted to the 100th anniversary of the building.
in 1939 the palace became a residence of adolf hitler. the palace chapel was turned into his study where he recieved guests and worked.this study was the exact replika of his study in berlin. this room has been preserved and often serves as a film scene when they shoot movies here.

in fact,it was not just a single palac but the whole IMPERIAL DISTRICT

[Adagietto]

Thank you, this is all very interesting.

[Michael HR]

Any pictures of the throne room, sounds fab

[violetta]

Any pictures of the throne room, sounds fab

unfortunately,no pictures BUT i`m planning to go there in summer.i`ll definitely take pictures and post them here.

what is especially interesting is the fact that nowadays it`s a huge cultural centre in poznan with a few galleries, movie centre.it houses festivals and music concerts.

[violetta]

i`d like to say a few words about a so-called "imperial district" in poznan. apart from the palace the district contained:

Collegium Maius, now housing mainly Medical Academy. Since 208 In this builidng there is also the Classical and Polish language department of University of Poznan. In 1886 Otto Von Bismarck founded here a special institution which bought land from polish owners and later on handed these lands to german owners.


the main hall of University of Posnan, built in 1905-1910. Nowadays, due to its excellent acoustics, it is also a place of various musical competitions.




and opera theatre, ormerly also a theatre, the first performance took place in 1910

[violetta]

this entry on the blog mentions empress frederick and her daughters` visit to posen in 1888.


http://royalmusingsblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2010/04/bismarck-gives-up-opposition-to.html