MORITZ VON SCHWIND

(21 January 1804 – 8 February 1871)

Moritz von Schwind, was an Austrian painter, born in Vienna. He received rudimentary training and spent a happy and carefree youth in Vienna.

Among his companions was the composer Schubert, some of whose songs he illustrated.

In 1828, the year of Schubert's death, he moved to Munich, where he befriended the painter Schnorr and enjoyed the guidance of Cornelius, then director of the Academy.

In 1834 he decorate King Ludwig's new palace with wall paintings illustrating the works of the poet Tieck.

He was often busy working on almanacs or illustrating Goethe and other writers through which he gained considerable recognition and employment.

He decorated a villa in Leipzig with the story of "Cupid and Psyche", and further justified his title of poet-painter with designs from the "Niebelungenlied" (The Song of the Nibelungs), an epic poem in High German, and Torquato Tasso's (an Italian poet) epic poem "Gerusalemme" (Jerusalem Delivered), for the walls of the castle of Hohenschwangau, in Bavarian Tirol.

After 1844, with residence in Frankfurt, he created some of his finest works, most notably the "Singers' Contest" in the Wartburg (1846), as well as designs for the Goethe celebration. There were also numerous book illustrations.

In 1847 Schwind returned to Munich on being appointed professor in the local academy.

Eight years later his fame was at its height. His works at Wartburg Castle walls, the illustrative pictures of the "Singer's Contest" and the history of "Elizabeth of Hungary" received universal praise, and a grand musical festival in their honor. Schwind himself was one of the violinists.

In Munich he also worked on some churches, particularly the altar and windows of the Church of Our Lady.

His exceptionally mature cycle, "Seven Ravens" from Grimm's fairy stories was produced in 1857.

Towards the close of his career, with poor health, he revisited Vienna. During this time, he created the cycle from the "Legend of Melusine" and the designs commemorative of "Chief Musicians" which decorate the foyer of the Vienna State Opera.

Schwind's genius was lyrical. He drew inspiration from chivalry, folklore, and the songs of the people. Schwind died in Pöcking in Bavaria, and was buried in the "Alter Südfriedhof" (Cemetery), in Munich.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

GERMAN SYMBOLS

The Eagle

Byzantine Empire reserved eagle imagery for only the most revered beings and it served as a metaphor of invincibility. On German soil probably date back to the time of Charlemagne (742–814). Around the year 1200 the black eagle icon on a gold field was generally recognised as the imperial coat of arms.

In 1433 the double-headed eagle was adopted for the first time by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund. Since then the double-headed eagle came to be used as the symbol of the German emperor, and hence as the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.

The Swastika

The Swastika is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing form or its mirrored left-facing form. Archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates from the Neolithic period. It occurs mainly in the modern day culture of India, sometimes as a geometrical motif and sometimes as a religious symbol. It remains widely used in Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Though once commonly used all over much of the world without stigma, because of its iconic usage in Nazi Germany the symbol has become stigmatized in the Western world, notably even outlawed in Germany.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

HEINRICH VON STEPHAN

07 January 1831 - 08 April 1897

Heinrich von Stephan was a general post director for the German Empire who reorganized the German postal service.

He was integral in the founding of the Universal Postal Union in 1874, and in 1877 introduced the telephone to Germany.

Stephan was born in Stolp, Pomerania, in the Kingdom of Prussia.

He began his career as a local postal in the service of the Prussian post in 1849.

In 1866 he was put in charge by the Prussian government of federalizing the postal service that had long been privately run by the noble Thurn and Taxis family.

In 1870 he was named director of postal services for the North German Confederation. Stephan's career then moved quickly up the ranks, as he was named Postmaster General of the German Empire in 1876, the Undersecretary of State in charge of the post office in 1880, and the Minister of Postal Services for Germany in 1895.

When Stephan began his work as a postal worker, Germany was divided into 17 independent states, each with its own separate policies and fees. He worked early on to establish a uniform postage rate throughout Germany, to facilitate easier mailing.

He introduced the postcard (which he had initially suggested in 1865) to Germany after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck promoted him in 1870.

He is also credited with having introduced the telephone to Germany.

Stephan died in 1897 in Berlin.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

THE UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION

The Universal Postal Union is an international organization that coordinates postal policies among member nations, and hence the worldwide postal system.

Each member country agrees to the same set of terms for conducting international postal duties. The Universal Postal Union's headquarters are located in Bern, Switzerland.

Prior to the establishment of the UPU, a country had to conclude a separate postal treaty with every other country that it wished to carry international mail to or from.

The United States called for an international postal congress, which was held in 1863.

This led Heinrich von Stephan, Royal Prussian and later German Minister for Posts, to found the Universal Postal Union, the third oldest international organization after the Rhine Commission and the ITU (International Telecommunication Union).

The UPU was created in 1874, under the name "General Postal Union", as a result of the Treaty of Bern signed on 9 October 1874. In 1878, the name was changed to "Universal Postal Union".

The UPU established that:

• There should be a more or less uniform flat rate to mail a letter anywhere in the world;


• Postal authorities should give equal treatment to foreign and domestic mail;


• Each country should retain all money it had collected for international postage.

The UPU provides that stamps of member nations are accepted for the whole international route.

After the foundation of the United Nations, the UPU became a specialized agency of the UN.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

RHEINSTEIN CASTLE

Built on the ruins of the earlier Fatzberg Castle (14th century), Rheinstein was the first castle to be 'resurrected' by Rhine Romanticism.

Rheinstein Castle was important for its strategic location.

The original residential tower, dating back to the 13th or 14th century, was characterised by a u-shaped ring wall which opened onto the Rhine.

To the south and west, a moat and a strong curtain wall protected the approach from the mountain slope. A high wall connected the residential tower to a watchtower above the valley.

Fatzberg Castle, named after Saint Bonifatius, was probably built to lay siege to Reichenstein Castle (claimed for the Palatinate) by Archbishop Peter von Aspelt of Mainz (1306-1320).

By 1344, the castle was in decline. By the time of the Palatine war of succession, the castle was very dilapidated.

During the romantic period in the 19th century, Prince Frederick of Prussia (1794–1863) bought the castle and it was rebuilt between 1823 and 1829, and changed its name to Rheinstein. The remains of the medieval castle were utilised in the reconstruction.

The residential tower was raised to four stories and a terrace built in front of the residence.

In 1842, the Prince had an elaborate neo-Gothic chapel built outside of the original castle grounds.

A short time later, the 'Schweizerhaus' (Swiss House) was built as a hunting lodge and guesthouse on this historical hill site above the castle.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

COLOGNE CATHEDRAL

The Cologne Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church in Cologne, Germany. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Cologne and is under the administration of the archdiocese of Cologne.

It was renowned as a monument of Christianity, of German Catholicism in particular. The Church is dedicated to Saint Peter and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Cathedral is a World Heritage Site, one of the best-known architectural monuments in Germany, and Cologne's most famous landmark, described by UNESCO as an "exceptional work of human creative genius". It is visited by 20 thousand people every day.

The Construction of Cologne Cathedral began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete. It is 144.5 meters long, 86.5 meters wide and its towers are approximately 157 meters tall.

The cathedral is one of the world's largest churches and the largest Gothic Church in Northern Europe. For four years, 1880-84, it was the tallest structure in the world, until the completion of the Washington Monument. It has the second-tallest church spires, only surpassed by the single spire of Ulm Minster, completed 10 years later in 1890. Because of its enormous twin spires, it also presents the largest facade of any church in the world.

Treasures

One of the Treasures of the cathedral is the High Altar which was installed in 1322. It is constructed of black marble, with a solid slab 15 feet long forming the top. The front and sides are overlaid with white marble niches into which are set figures, with the Coronation of the Virgin at the centre.

The most celebrated work of art in the cathedral is the Shrine of the Three Kings, a large gilded sarcophagus dating from the 13th century, and the largest reliquary in the Western world. It is traditionally believed to hold the remains of the Three Wise Men, whose bones and 2,000 years old clothes were discovered at the opening of the shrine in 1864.

Near the sacristy is the best known surviving sculpture proto-romanic of Europe, a life-size crucifix carved in oak, with painting and gilding. Commissioned by Archbishop Gero, in the years 960-965, the oldest existing handsome size crucifix north of the Alps and the first known in this type of sculpture in the north with origins in the medieval period.

In the Sacrament Chapel is the Mailänder Madonna "Milan Madonna", dating from around 1290, a wooden sculpture depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus.

The altar of the patron saints of Cologne with an altar piece by the International Gothic painter, Stephan Lochner is in the Marienkapelle "St. Mary's Chapel". Other works of art are to be found in the Cathedral Treasury. The altar also houses the relics of Saint Irmgardis.

World Heritage List

In 1996, the cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List of culturally important sites.

In 2004 it was placed on the "World Heritage in Danger" list due to plans to construct a high-rise building nearby, which would have visually impacted the site, as the only Western site in danger.

The Cathedral was removed from the List of In Danger Sites in 2006, following the authorities decision to limit the heights of buildings constructed near and around the cathedral.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

MALBORK CASTLE

The Malbork (in German: Marienburg), Castle in the city of Malbork, Poland, is the largest castle in the world by area. It is one of two World Heritage Sites in the region with origins in the Teutonic Order. The other is the "Medieval Town and the site of the of Toruń castle", founded in 1231.

It was built in Prussia by the Teutonic Knights, a German Roman Catholic religious order of crusaders, in a form of an "Ordensburg" fortress ("Ordensburg" was a fortress built by crusading German military orders during the Middle Ages. It was also used during Nazi Germany to refer to training schools for Nazi leaders). The Order named it Marienburg (Mary's Castle).

The castle has several subdivisions and numerous layers of defensive walls. It consists of three separate castles - the High, Middle and Lower Castles, separated by multiple dry moats and towers. The castle once housed approximately 3,000 "brothers in arms". The outermost castle walls enclose 52 acres (21 ha), four times the acreage of the enclosed space of Windsor Castle.

The favorable position of the castle on the river Nogat allowed for easy access by barges and trading ships arriving from the Vistula and the Baltic Sea. During their governance, the Teutonic Knights collected river tolls from passing ships, as did other castles along the rivers. They controlled a monopoly on the trade of amber. When the city became a member of the Hanseatic League, many hanseatic meetings were held at Marienburg castle.

In 1410, the castle was besieged following defeat by the armies of Władysław II Jagiełło and Vytautas the Great at the Battle of Grunwald. Heinrich von Plauen successfully led the defense in the Siege of Marienburg Castle, during which the city outside was razed.

During the Thirteen Years' War, in 1456, the Order could not pay off its mercenaries and moved the seat of the Order to Königsberg. Following the departure of the mercenaries, King Casimir IV Jagiellon entered the castle in triumph in 1457.

Under Bartholomäus Blume, the city resisted the Polish forces for three more years, but the Poles captured and hanged him in 1460. In 1466 both, castle and town, became part of Royal Prussia.

The Castle served as one of the several Polish royal residences. During the Thirty Years' War, in 1626 and 1629 Swedish forces occupied the castle. They invaded and occupied it again 1656 to 1660 during the Northern Wars.

After Prussia and the Russian Empire made the First Partition of Poland in 1772, the town became part of the Kingdom of Prussia province of West Prussia.

Throughout the Napoleonic period, the army used the castle as a hospital and arsenal. After Prussia was liberated again, the castle became a symbol of Prussian history and national consciousness. Initiated by Theodor von Schön, Oberpräsident of West Prussia, in 1816, restoration of the castle was begun. It was undertaken in stages until World War II started.

With the rise of Adolf Hitler to power in the early 1930's, the Nazis used the castle as a destination for annual pilgrimages of both the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls. The Teutonic Castle at Marienburg served as the blueprint for the Order Castles of the Third Reich built under Hitler's reign. In 1945 during World War II combat in the area, more than half the castle was destroyed.

The town which grew around it was also named Marienburg. Since 1945, when it became part of the nation of Poland after World War II, it has been called Malbork.

The castle has been mostly reconstructed, with restoration ongoing since 1962 following a fire in 1959 which caused further damage. The main cathedral in the castle, restored just before World War II and then destroyed in battle, is still in ruins.

The castle is a classic example of a medieval fortress and, on its completion in 1406, was the world's largest brick Gothic castle. UNESCO designated the "Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork" and it's Museum as the World Heritage Site in December 1997.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia

SPEYER CATHEDRAL

The Speyer Cathedral, located in Speyer, a city of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, which is dedicated to St. Mary, patron saint of Speyer, and St. Stephen, is generally known as "Kaiserdom zu Speyer" (Imperial Cathedral of Speyer).

This basilica, with four towers and two domes, was founded by Conrad II in 1030 and remodelled at the end of the 11th century.

It incorporates the general layout of Church of St. Michael in Hildesheim, Germany too, and brings to perfection a type of plan that was adopted generally in the Rhineland. This plan is characterized by the equilibrium of the eastern and western blocks and by the symmetrical and singular placement of the towers which frame the mass formed by the nave and the transept. Under Henry IV, the renovations and the extensions were undertaken.

Speyer Cathedral is the first known structure to be built with a gallery that encircles the whole building. The system of arcades added during these renovations was also a first in architectural history. It's one of the most important Romanesque architectural monuments from the time of the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1689, the cathedral was seriously damaged by fire. Following this disaster, the architect I. M. Neumann attempted its reconstruction in the Romanesque style, in the 18th century. The Bavarian King Ludwig I commissioned the painting of the interior.

From 1846 to 1853 painters of the school of Johannes Schraudolph and Josef Schwarzmann completed the work in late Nazarene style. This addition was replaced in 1854-58 by a western block, a pastiche of the Romanesque style in keeping with current ideas. The entire interior was enhanced by heavy neo-Romanesque decorative paintings and large historical panels, attributed to Schraudolph and his atelier.

Starting in 1957, the removal of the paintings and the layers of painted plaster was undertaken in order to restore the 11th century form of the cathedral.

The Basilica's houses the graves of no less than eight medieval German emperors and kings, buried there between 1039 and 1309. It also includes the grave of Emperor Konrad II, who had to be buried elsewhere for the first two years after he died because the crypt was not yet finished at the time of his death.

A huge stone font, with a capacity of 1,560 liters, stands on the square in front of the main portal of the cathedral. This font once symbolized the borderline between the diocese and the city.

Pope Pius XI raised Speyer Cathedral to the rank of a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church in 1925. It's the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Speyer and is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Bamberg.

In 1981, the Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, as "a major monument of Romanesque art in the German Empire".

Speyer Cathedral exerted a considerable influence not only on the development of Romanesque architecture in the 11th and 12th centuries, but also on the evolution of the principles of restoration in Germany, in Europe and in the world, from the 18th century to the present.

Bibliography: Article based on Wikipedia and Unesco site