Page 517 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

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4 Weimar
Terrasse was subsequently
transformed into magnificent Thuringia. * 65,000. £ @
gardens by Heinrich von Brühl. n Markt 10 (03643-7450).
Offering splendid views over ∑ weimar.de
the Elbe river, it is known as
“the balcony of Europe.” The Weimar rose to prominence
Albertinum houses several due to the enlightened
magnificent collections, sponsorship of its rulers,
including the Gemäldegalerie particularly Duke Carl Augustus
Neue Meister, which holds and his wife Anna Amalia in the
paintings from the 19th and 18th century. Former residents
20th centuries. These include include Goethe, Schiller, and
landscapes by Caspar David Nietzsche, as well as the
Friedrich, canvases by the designers of the Bauhaus
Nazarene group of painters, School, founded here in 1919.
and works by Degas, van Weimar is fairly small, and most
Gogh, Manet, and Monet. of its museums are in the town
On the banks of the Elbe center. To the north stands the
stands Schloss Pillnitz, the Neues Museum, which holds a
charming summer residence of The lofty Neoclassical interior of the large collection of modern art.
Augustus the Strong. The main Nikolaikirche, Leipzig The nearby Stadtmuseum is
attraction is the park, laid out in devoted to Weimar’s history,
English and Chinese styles. Thomaskirche (1482–96), while the Goethe-Museum
where he was choirmaster displays items associated with
E Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister from 1723. It now contains his the famous writer.
Theaterplatz 1. Tel 0351-4914 2000. tomb. The Bacharchive und The Neoclassical Deutsches
Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun. & Bachmuseum houses items Nationaltheater, built in
relating to the composer. 1906–7, was the venue for the
Environs The 16th-century Nikolai- world premiere of Wagner’s
Meissen, 19 km (12 miles) kirche (Church of St. Nicholas) Lohengrin. In 1919 the National
northwest of Dresden, is famous was redecorated in Neoclassical Congress sat here to pass the
for its porcelain manufacture. style in 1784–97. The grand new constitution for the
The Albrechtsburg is a vast Renaissance Altes Rathaus Weimar Republic.
fortified hilltop complex with (Old Town Hall), built in only The vast ducal castle, Weimar
a cathedral and a palace once nine months in 1556, is now Schloss, has original interiors
used by the Electors. Europe’s the municipal museum. The and fine paintings by Albrecht
first porcelain factory was set Museum der Bildenden Künste Dürer, Peter Paul Rubens, and
up in the palace in 1710 but has an excellent collection of Claude Monet. Also known
moved to premises in Talstrasse German masters, including works as the Grünes Schloss (Green
in 1865. Documents relating to by Caspar David Friedrich and Castle), the Herzogin-Anna-
the history of the factory and Lucas Cranach the Elder, as well Amalia Bibliothek was
examples of its products are on as van Eyck, Rubens, and Rodin. converted into the duchess’
display in the palace rooms. The Grassimuseum complex library in 1761–6. It has a
houses three collections: a splendid Rococo interior. Set
+ Albrechtsburg museum of ethnography, in attractive Belvedere Park,
Domplatz 1. Tel 0351-470 70. a museum of applied arts, the ducal summer residence of
Open daily. & and a large collection of Schloss Belvedere (1761–6)
musical instruments. has fine collections of
3 Leipzig E Museum der Rococo decorative art
and vintage vehicles.
Saxony. * 539,000. k £ @ Bildenden Künste
n Katharinenstr. 8 (0341-710 42 60). Katharinenstr. 10. Tel 0341- + Weimar Schloss
∑ leipzig.de 216 99. Open Tue–Sun Burgplatz 4. Tel 03643-54 59
(Wed: noon–8pm). 60. Open Tue–Sun. &
Leipzig is not only one of
Germany’s leading com mercial
towns, but also a center of
culture and learning. Most of
the interesting sights can be
found in the old town, including
Europe’s biggest train station,
the Hauptbahnhof.
Lovers of Johann Sebastian
Bach’s music can visit the Weimar Schloss with its tall Renaissance tower

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