Sightseeing in the city centre was top priority on Thulani's to-do list, so today we went to Osnabrück (which is the main town/city in our area and about 20km away from Thulani's host town Bramsche).
Osnabrück lies in a valley penned between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoburg Forest in northwestern Germany.
Osnabrück is popular for being compact. Whether for sightseeing, shopping, strolling or studying – a good layout and short distances are a big plus for us Osnabrueckers. But it's not really a major tourist attraction in Germany.
Today Osnabrück (163,000 inhabitants) is the third largest city in the state Lower Saxony and the only German city situated in a nature reserve ( UNESCO Geo Park TERRA.vita - 1,220 square kilometers and our small town Bramsche is right in the middle!).
Osnabrück developed as a marketplace next to the bishop's see founded by Charlemagne, king of the Franks, 780. Some time before 803, the city became seat of the Prince-Bishopric of Osnabrück. Although the precise date is uncertain, Osnabrück is likely the oldest bishopric in Lower Saxony. In 889 the town was given merchant, customs, and coinage privileges by King Arnulf of Carinthia. It is first mentioned as a "city" in records in 1147. Shortly after in 1157, Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted the city fortification privileges (Befestigungsrecht).
Part of the medieval fortification, most of the towers are still visible in the city. Osnabrück became a member of the Hanseatic League in the 12th century, as well as a member of the Westphalian Federation of Cities. So it's quite an historic place and it's just the right size for a city to live in.
More information obout Osnabrück can be found here:
http://www.osnabrueck.de/
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http://www.osnabrueck.de/
Osnabrück Castle ... nowadays the main building of the University of Osnabrück
The most important civic building in the city consists of the main building (palas) with a tower-staircase and the considerably older and taller Romanesque stonework. The estate once belonged to the influential family Leden. The building´s diagonal decoration complies with the historically authentic design. Today the Ledenhof, opposite the castle, is home to West Lower Saxony´s Literary Bureau and the German Foundation for Peace Research. Many cultural events take place in the Renaissance hall.
a newly established pathway right on top of the Hase river
the tranquil cloister inside the “Dom St. Peter” (St Peter’s Cathedral)
Thulani in front of St. Peter's Cathedral, founded in the 11th century. It has two façade towers, originally of the same size
look how small Osnabrück was in the middle ages
St Mary's Church (Marienkirche)
Marienkirche and Old Town hall , the "Marktplatz".
From 1412 - 1669, Osnabrück was a member of the "Hanse" (Hanseatic League) as well as a member of the Westphalian Federation of Cities. Magnificent town houses and other prestigious buildings bear witness to the power and wealth of the medieval merchants. Osnabrück became important during the negotiations for the Peace of Westphalia that took place here as well as in Münster between 1643-1648. The Peace of Westphalia, proclaimed on Oct. 1648, finally ended the Thirty Years' War and changed the face of Europe.
The Market Square and the surrounding old town is definitely worth a visit with its half timbered houses and vault houses from the middle ages. Next to the historical square you will find the “Bürgerbrunnen” (well) illustrating important events in Osnabrück’s history.
Town Hall of the Peace of Westphalia
Finished in 1512, the Town Hall in late-gothic style took more than 25 years to build. Just like in neighboring Münster, the Peace of Westphalia was negotiated here, ending the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). Inside the hall, 42 portraits show the envoys of the peace congress as well as the rulers of that time. The most valuable pieces in the treasure chamber include the Emperor’s Cup, the replica of the Treaty of Westphalia, and the Osnabrück militia’s necklace. Also to be seen on the upper floor is a model which shows Osnabrück in 1633.
on every corner, with the remains of the old city
wall and its watchtowers, the castle dating from the
17th century and the town hall where the Peace of
Westphalia was declared in 1648, bringing an end
to the Thirty Years’ War
wall and its watchtowers, the castle dating from the
17th century and the town hall where the Peace of
Westphalia was declared in 1648, bringing an end
to the Thirty Years’ War
The "Markt" remains the heart of the city and hosts weddings, festivals, wine stands and Christmas markets. Its picturesque flair is formed by the Town Hall of the Peace of Westphalia, the "Stadtwaage", the St Mary's Church, the late Romanesque St Peter's Cathedral and the high gables of the old merchant houses.
Stadtwaage
Old town with its small streets with buildings from middle-age
Most of the towers that were part of the medieval fortification are still visible in the city. Thulani climbed up the Heger Tor and explored the medieval fortification
The area to the left and right of the "Hegerstraße" (Heger Tor Viertel) is alive during the day with the many arts and crafts shops and is bustling with pub-goers in the evening
A Look at Felix Nussbaum Haus, a Gallery and Museum dedicated to the Jewish artist and painter Felix Nussbaum, who died in the Holocaust. It was designed by the architect Daniel Libeskind .... despressing architecture and even more depressing art . The Building is so weird , you get lost in there easily
The Romanesque vault houses in the Old Town are unique. These monuments from the 13th century with their first floor entrances and small windows were used as safehouses, guarding the people and their wares.
The historical old quarter of the city is particularly well preserved, with narrow winding alleys and old
half-timbered houses that continue to lend it medieval charm right up to the present day
half-timbered houses that continue to lend it medieval charm right up to the present day
The "Willmann Haus" (Willmann House) in the "Krahnstraße" (Krahn Street) and the "Romantik Hotel Walhalla" in the "Bierstraße" (Beer Street) are the last proud reminders of a time when almost all buildings in the town were half-timbered.
main shopping street "Große Strasse"
On a public holiday like today with all the shops closed it's quite nice to walk along the "Große Strasse" (the "Main Street")
Katharinenkirche (St. Catherine's Church) that dates back to 1248 and is one of the 150 tallest churches in the world and the tallest medieval building in the state of Lower Saxony
Thulani playing with street art ... it looks like two statues are holding Thulani in their hands, even though they are about 5m away from each other
Katharinenkirche , one of the tallest churches in the world! My favourite church in Osnabrueck!
Thulani playing with street art ... it looks like two statues are holding Thulani in their hands, even though they are about 5m away from each other
Katharinenkirche , one of the tallest churches in the world! My favourite church in Osnabrueck!
Driving back home past the Heger Gate
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