Sights Archives ⋆ The Passenger

April 21, 2025April 22, 2025

Kartoffelstein

The Kartoffelstein near Herberhausen is a commemorative stone that was erected in 1852 by the Herberhausen parish. The occasion was the end of a severe famine caused by several successive potato crop failures, especially in 1846. After a finally successful potato harvest, the community set up this stone as a sign of gratitude. The original stone, an old gravestone from the Roringen cemetery, was damaged several times by lightning and was reworked in 1937 and replaced in 1966 by a weatherproof version made of shell limestone.

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025

Fürstengruft

The Fürstengruft in Weimar is a neoclassical mausoleum located on the historic cemetery of the city, built between 1823 and 1828 as the burial place for the ducal family of Sachsen-Weimar-Eisenach. The structure features a doric columned entrance, a chapel with a star-adorned dome, and an underground crypt. Its sober architecture was intended to reflect dignity and simplicity, with an oval opening in the floor through which coffins could be lowered into the vault below.

April 18, 2025April 18, 2025

Rokokosaal

The Herzogin-Anna-Amalia-Bibliothek in Weimar is one of Germany’s most renowned libraries, celebrated for its rich collections and its role as a center for European literary and cultural history. Established in 1691, the library houses over a million works, with holdings ranging from medieval manuscripts to modern texts. Its historic building, part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble ‘Classical Weimar‘, stands as a testament to centuries of cultural preservation and intellectual life.

April 13, 2025April 13, 2025

Varusschlacht

The Varusschlacht, or Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, was a pivotal event in the Roman campaigns into Germania. From 12 BC to AD 16, the Romans attempted to conquer and integrate the lands between the Rhein and Elbe rivers into their empire, envisioning Germania as a new province. However, in 9 AD, three Roman legions under Publius Quinctilius Varus were ambushed and annihilated by Germanic warriors led by Arminius, a Cheruscan prince. This catastrophic defeat marked the end of Roma’s expansion into Germania and led Emperor Augustus to abandon plans for further conquest beyond the Rhein.

April 12, 2025April 13, 2025

Pax Westphalica

Rathaus des westfälischen Friedens, Osnabrück

The historic town hall of Osnabrück is a striking example of late Gothic architecture, constructed between 1487 and 1512. Its façade is characterized by an 18-meter-high hipped roof, complemented by six small towers that evoke the appearance of a fortress. A central flight of stone steps leads to the main entrance, which features a bronze handle inscribed with the year 1648 and adorned with a dove symbolizing peace. Above the entrance stands a statue of Charlemagne, the founder of Osnabrück, flanked by eight sculptures of German emperors, including Friedrich Barbarossa and Wilhelm I. These statues were gifted by the Prussian royal family in the 19th century, adding historical depth to the building’s exterior.

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025

Bundeshaus

The Bundeshaus in Bonn served as the provisional seat of the German Bundestag and Bundesrat from 1949 to 1999. Initially constructed as a pedagogical academy between 1930 and 1933, it was repurposed after World War II to host the newly established West German parliament. The original building was expanded with additions like the ‘Langer Eugen’ office tower in 1969 and a new plenary chamber by Günter Behnisch in 1992, which emphasized transparency and democracy.

March 23, 2025March 23, 2025

Poppelsdorfer Schloss

The Poppelsdorfer Schloss in Bonn is a Baroque palace built between 1715 and 1753 on the site of a former medieval water castle. Originally named ‘Clemensruhe’ after its founder, Elector Joseph Clemens, the palace was designed as a pleasure residence with symmetrical architecture and an inner courtyard. It later became part of the University of Bonn in 1818, housing scientific collections and the Mineralogical Museum. The Poppelsdorfer Allee, a tree-lined avenue with historic charm, connects the palace to Bonn’s city center, offering a picturesque approach for visitors.

March 18, 2025March 20, 2025

Kindertransport

The Kindertransport was a rescue effort between 1938 and 1939 that saved nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe, bringing them to safety in the United Kingdom. Liverpool Street Station in London played a pivotal role as the arrival point for many of these children. To honor this history, a memorial titled ‚Kindertransport – The Arrival’ stands outside the station.

February 21, 2025February 28, 2025

Laguna de Tiscapa

The Laguna de Tiscapa is a volcanic crater lake in the heart of Managua, Nicaragua, offering panoramic views of the city. Perched on its edge is the Sandino Monument, a towering silhouette of General Augusto César Sandino, the revolutionary leader who fought against U.S. military intervention in Nicaragua during the early 20th century. The monument, erected in the 1990s, stands as a powerful symbol of national resistance and pride. The area surrounding the lagoon has historical significance, as it once housed the presidential palace and later the notorious Somoza family’s military headquarters. Today, the site serves as a tourist attraction and a place of reflection on Nicaragua’s tumultuous past.

February 21, 2025March 1, 2025

Plaza de la Revolución

Antigua Catedral de Santiago Apóstol, Managua

Located in the heart of Managua, Nicaragua, the Plaza de la Revolución is a significant historical and cultural landmark that embodies the nation’s revolutionary spirit and rich heritage. Formerly known as Plaza de la República, this expansive square has been witness to numerous pivotal events in Nicaragua’s history. It served as a focal point during the Sandinista Revolution and continues to be a gathering place for political demonstrations, cultural events, and national celebrations.