Germany Archives ⋆ Page 2 of 117 ⋆ The Passenger

June 7, 2025June 11, 2025

Oldenburg in Oldenburg

Oldenburg’s roots stretch back to the early Middle Ages, with archaeological finds dating its first settlements to the 7th or 8th century. The city was first recorded as ‘Aldenburg’ in 1108, when it was a strategic fortress on a trade route between Bremen and Frisia. Over the centuries, Oldenburg grew in importance, becoming a seat of power for the Counts of Oldenburg, and later, through dynastic ties, influencing the thrones of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The city endured periods of prosperity and hardship, including devastating fires and Danish rule, before emerging as a vibrant regional center. Today it is the third largest city in the German federal state of Lower Saxony.

June 7, 2025June 11, 2025

Janssen

The Horst-Janssen-Museum in Oldenburg is a cultural highlight for anyone interested in the graphic arts and the complex life of one of Germany’s most celebrated artists. Opened in 2000, the museum is dedicated entirely to Horst Janssen, offering a comprehensive look at his artistic legacy across 1,000 square meters of exhibition space. Visitors encounter a diverse array of his works – drawings, etchings, wood engravings, lithographs, posters, and illustrations – arranged thematically to reflect the many facets of his creativity. The museum also features a reconstruction of Janssen’s studio, providing a vivid sense of his working environment and personal world.

June 7, 2025June 11, 2025

Mensch und Natur

The Landesmuseum Natur und Mensch in Oldenburg is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the interplay between people and the natural world. Housed in one of Germany’s oldest museums, its exhibitions focus on the diverse landscapes of the region, from moorlands to marshes and the Geest. Visitors can explore permanent displays that highlight the natural habitats for local flora and fauna, as well as the ways humans have shaped and adapted to these environments since the Stone Age. The museum also features an aquarium showcasing the underwater world of the Hunte river and a mineral vault with precious stones and minerals.

June 7, 2025June 11, 2025

Schloss Oldenburg

The Schloss at Oldenburg is a striking example of Renaissance architecture, built primarily in the early 17th century on the site of a medieval lowland castle dating back to around 1100. The transformation into a residential mansion was initiated by Count Anton Günther of Oldenburg, who modeled it after Italian palazzi, resulting in a four-wing complex with Renaissance-style façades adorned with sculptural details. Over the centuries, later rulers added elements of Classicism and Neorenaissance, giving the Schloss a rich architectural layering that reflects its long history as a seat of power and culture in the region.

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025

Alltagskultur

Visiting the Freilichtmuseum at Detmold is like stepping back in time to experience 500 years of Westphalian rural life. Spread across more than 90 hectares of picturesque landscape, the museum features over 100 original historical buildings that have been carefully relocated and reconstructed from various regions of Westphalia. As you wander through the grounds, you can explore authentic farmhouses, workshops, and village structures, all furnished true to their eras, giving a vivid impression of how people once lived and worked in this part of Germany.

May 18, 2025May 18, 2025

Arminius

Hermann was a chieftain of the Cherusci tribe who famously led a coalition of Germanic tribes to victory against the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. The name ‘Hermann‘ was popularized in the 16th century as a translation of ‘Arminius‘, possibly first by Martin Luther, and means ‘man of war‘ in Old High German. Arminius had been trained by the Romans but turned against them, orchestrating one of Roma’s most devastating defeats.

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 18, 2025April 18, 2025

Goethe-Nationalmuseum

The Goethe-Nationalmuseum in Weimar is the most significant museum dedicated to the life and achievements of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Located at Frauenplan, the museum centers around Goethe’s original baroque residence, where he lived for nearly fifty years. The house, carefully restored to reflect its state during Goethe’s final years, is complemented by a garden and two early 20th-century museum extensions that provide additional exhibition space.