“I mustn’t forget to show you something before we leave Wittenberg tomorrow”, says Jean Michel, “a modern building, the Martin Luther Gymnasium” (which means high school).
Entrance to the Martin Luther Gymnasium
Wow, I am bowled over when I see it, tucked away behind the vegatation in a side street. It’s Sunday so there is no one about. What an inspiring place to go to school.
Close-up of the Martin Luther Gymnasium from inside the gate
According to the official website, the architect, Hundertwasser, a visionary and reponsible creator, mobilizes the power of his art in order to spread his message for a life in harmony with nature and individual creativity.
The façade taken from the right corner
He is a symbolic figure for a non-conformist way of life, a forerunner of environmental protection and an ambassador for a self-determined alternative existence.
The gymnasium showing the second buildling behind. We didn’t like to venture too far into the school.
Friedensreich Hundertwasser Regentag Dunkelbunt LiebeFrau was born in Vienna on 15th December 1928 and died on board the Queen Elizabeth 2 on 19th February 2000 on his way back to his home in New Zealand.
Close-up of the right side of the gymnasium
He was an artist, thinker and architect or, as he claimed in his manifesto of 24th January 1990, a doctor of architecture with a passion for water and colours. His deeply environmentalist message was expressed early on in everything he created: paintings, posters, postage stamps, houses, buildings, books.
The street façade of the Green Citadel.
Our next stop is Magdeburg, It’s already 31°C. We park just in front of the Green Citadel, in the middle of the city, another work by Hundertwasser, and said to be his architectural masterpiece.
The right façade, showing a second modern building and the Neogothic law courts and post office buildlng
For me, it’s love at first sight: golden globes on top of towers, “tree tenants” looking out of “dancing windows”, meadows of wildflowers on the roofs, “foot melodies” taking strollers through the inner courtyard.
Die Gemälde Stube in the courtyard of the Green Citadel
We go round the other side and discover there is a restaurant inside, along with a hotel, shops and private apartments. The courtyard is cool and shady.
Fountain and shops in the main courtyard
For a total of twenty euros, we have a glass of Riesling and the dish of the day brought by a friendly waitress speaking excellent English. We take our time to soak in the atmosphere of the courtyard with its little fountain.
Pay-for public toilets, free if you eat at the restaurant
Even the pay-for public toilets are part of the decor. The waitress gives me a token.
A rear view of the Green Citadel
Reminiscent of the colourful works of the Gaudi in Barcelona, Hunterwasser’s buildings are quite unique. My photos do not do them justice.
OTHER POSTS ABOUT CYCLING IN GERMANY
Cycling in Germany – Tips & Tricks Cycling in Germany #1 – Kobern-Gondorf on the Moselle Cycling in Germany #2 – Rhine from Saint Goar to Lorch Cycling in Germany #3 – Cochem to Zell on the Moselle Cycling in Germany #4 – Koblenz where the Moselle meets the Rhine Cycling in Germany #5 – Bad Schaugen to Pirna along the Elbe Cycling in Germany #6 – Bastei Rocks, Honigen and over the border to Czech Republic Cycling in Germany #7 – Dresden: accommodation & car trouble and Baroque Treasure Cycling in Germany #8 – Dresden Neustadt: Kunsthof Passage, Pfund’s Molkerei, a broom shop & trompe l’oeil Cycling in Germany #9 – Country roads around Niderlommatzsch on the Elbe Cycling in Germany #10 – Meissen on the Elbe Cycling in Germany #11 – Martin Luther Country: Torgau on the Elbe Cycling in Germany #12 – Martin Luther Country: Wittenberg on the Elbe Cycling in Germany #13 – Wörlitz Gardens and the beginning of neo-classicism in Germany Cycling in Germany #14 – Shades of Gaudi on the Elbe: Hundertwasser Cycling in Germany – Turgermünde, the prettiest village on the Elbe Cycling in Germany #16 – Celle & Bremen Cycling in Germany #17 – Windmills & Dykes Cycling in Germany #18 – Painted façades from Hann. Münden to Höxter Cycling in Germany #19 – Bernkastel on the Moselle: a hidden treasure Cycling in Germany #20 – Trier & the Binoculars Scare Cycling along the Danube – A Renaissance festival in Neuburg, Bavaria Cycling along the Danube – Watch out for trains! Cycling along the Danube – Regensburg & Altmuhle Cycling along the Danube – The Weltenburg Narrows Cycling along the Danube – from its source to Ehingen Cycling along the Danube – Ehingen to Ulm Cycling along the Danube – Singmarigen to Beuron Cycling along the Danube – Binzwangen to Mengen including Zwiefalten Eurovelo 6 – Cycling around Lake Constance Eurovelo 6 – Moos to Stein am Rhein and Steckborn on Lake Constance Heading home to France after a month’s cycling holiday
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Marvelous architecture in that school, particularly!
The school’s great isn’t it?
Every post is so fascinating – can’t believe you are doing all this and cycling too!
Not doing as much cycling this year though because of the weather. Very unstable.
We first learned of Hundertwasser on our honeymoon in 1976. He had a big exhibit at an art museum in Amsterdam. Returning home to the USA, I bought several books on his work. I never realized that some of his designs were actually built. You have given us a new destination.
Wow! I had never heard of him before. You’ll love the buildings. Photos really don’t do them justice. Make sure it’s a Sunday or school holidays for the school.
What a contrast in architecture in the past 2 days. Hope it cools down a little for you.
Amazing, isn’t it? It’s cooled down now – rained quite a bit today.
I’d never heard of him either. Thanks for introducing him. The buildings are great fun. I must admit I smell theosophy and Rudolf Steiner, but his Wiki entry doesn’t mention any sort of connection, so I assume it’s just ‘convergent evolution’.
I think that there is a lot of convergent evolution in Germany.
Pingback: Cyclng in Germany #15 – Turgermünde, the prettiest village on the Elbe | Aussie in France
I love his eccentric and provocative architecture!
Please,plan a trip to Vienna and ask Jean Mishell to bay you a coffe in “Kunst und Cafe” on the ground floor of Hudertwasser House.Thay shows a film in which Hundertwasser personally leads you through this extravagant apartments house.
Don’t miss to have fun with the interior design in ”Hundertwasser Village” and a special toilet room.
By the way our photo on Homeexchange profile was taken in Kunst und Cafe…
What a pity we didn’t know about Hundertwasser House when we were in Vienna! If we ever go back we’ll go to Kunst und Cafe!
Sorry,mistake! I meen to buy you a coffee
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