romanian - moldova outline

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Table of contents
1) Romania............................................................................... 3
a) ROMANIAN - MOLDOVA OUTLINE .............................. 4
b) MOLDOVA AND BUCOVINA....................................... 8
c) I A S I............................................................................ 10
d) V A S L U I.................................................................... 19
e) H U Ş I .......................................................................... 24
f) B Â R L A D.................................................................. 28
2) Poland ............................................................................... 33
a) Poland - Introduction.................................................. 34
b) History of Warsaw capital Town of Poland............... 38
c) THE POLISH FAUNA................................................... 43
d) Silesia .......................................................................... 46
e) Region Małopolska ..................................................... 49
f) History of Cracow- capital town of Małopolska........ 52
g) Będzin .......................................................................... 55
3) Germany: .......................................................................... 63
a) Germany - Introduction .............................................. 64
b) Lower Saxony /Niedersachsen: ............................... 67
c) The town of Königslutter............................................ 72
d) The Elm ........................................................................ 74
e) Harz .............................................................................. 76
f) Lüneburger Heide - Pure Nature in the Heathland ... 79
g) Helmstedt..................................................................... 81
h) Brunswick.................................................................... 84
i) Wolfsburg .................................................................... 88
j) Wolfenbüttel ................................................................ 92
k) Hannover – The capital of Lower Saxony ................. 97
4) Impressum ...................................................................... 101
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Romania
Romania – phisic map
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ROMANIAN - MOLDOVA OUTLINE
Six hundred thousand years of human life
The first signs of human life on Romania’s current territory
were found in the Carpathians and date from around 600,000 BC.
However, the first organised state was formed by the Dacians on the
shore of the Black Sea in the sixth century BC. This civilisation
reached its peak under the leadership of Decebal in the first century
AD but was conquered by the Roman legions under the emperor
Traian in 106. The Romans colonised the land and mixed marriages
followed. Later the new population became Christian. In 271, the
legions withdrew and there followed a thousand years of sporadic
invasions by migrating peoples and then many centuries of incursions
by Turks and Russians. Despite this, the Daco-Roman civilisation and
Latin inheritance have survived.
The appearance and development of the provinces
The first documentary evidence of the Romanian people dates
from 1160 and shortly after this the
first two provinces were formed, one
of them being Moldova. The later
Ottoman invasions were successfully
blocked by the rulers of these
provinces. Among them was Stephen
the Great, who built around fifty
monasteries and founded Moldovan
culture. The
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries were
a glorious period for the development
of architecture and art.
The formation of a nation
In the seventeenth century,
national consciousness started to
increase and in 1859 the two
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Michael the Brave (1593-1601)
provinces were united, taking the name Romania. This new state
became a monarchy in 1881 and in 1918 it was joined by the third
major province, Transylvania. The communists forced the king to
abdicate after the Second World War but in 1989 a revolution brought
Romania back to democracy. Romanians are now once again showing
their traditional characteristics of hospitality and generosity.
Geography
Seen from above, Romania is a stunningly beautiful country.
The hills of Transylvania are surrounded by mountains, forming a
giant crown. Despite their height, reaching 2543 m, these mountains
are not hostile: people can live on the level uplands. Bordering these
mountains are gentler hills covered with vineyards and orchards.
Beyond these are seemingly endless plains of cereal crops. Numerous
rivers flow from Transylvania into the Danube. Together, these diverse
features form a harmonious unity.
Carpati Mountains
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The Siret River
The Falciu’s Hills
A varied culture, full of creativity
This history has produced a rich artistic and cultural heritage.
Each of the three provinces has a distinct folklore tradition and
travellers can admire their splendour and diversity.
Christmas Customs
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Crafts and cuisine
Traditional Romanian architecture, crafts and cookery form a
heritage of unique value. Precise, detailed wooden carving on gates in
Transylvania, magnificent little wooden churches, varied traditional
regional costumes and simple, popular art combine to give this value.
Ceramic products, carpets, icons and wooden sculptures complement
local cuisine and wines. Gastronomy is itself an art, Romanians using
mushrooms, vegetables, pork, beef and chicken to make their specially
flavoured foods.
Agapia Monastery
Modern art and music
Nineteenth and twentieth century revival of national awareness
was accompanied by artistic excellence, especially in the fields of
drama, sculpture and music. Romania has a unique cultural heritage.
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MOLDOVA AND BUCOVINA
Putna Monastery
Bucovina, the northeastern province of Romania, is famous for
the paintings on the outside walls of its monasteries. The monasteries
date from the fifteenth and sixteenth
centuries, when Stephen the Great ruled, and show a Byzantine
influence.
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Geographically, this is a region of great diversity. Altitudes
vary from 100 m to 2100 m and the province provides a sample of
every kind of Romanian relief. The mountains belong to the eastern
Carpathians, the hills form part of the Moldovan uplands and the
plains are part of those that run to the River Prut at the eastern border
of Romania.
So much to discover
Moldova has a large area of hills and woods where there is
much to see. One endangered species, a kind of ox, has been
reintroduced in a nature reserve in the region of Târgu Neamţ. Marked
paths guide visitors on walks and there are also camping sites.
Moldova’s wines have a five-hundred-year reputation and some of the
vineyards can be visited.
The Slanic Moldova Spa
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IASI
The Palace of Culture
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Iaşi specialises in history. There is archaelogical proof of
human communities in and around the city since prehistoric times but
urban life dates from the fourteenth century. The city’s name is first
mentioned in a document about commercial privilege granted by the
Moldovan ruler Alexandru the Good to the Polish merchants of Lvov
in 1408. The great scholars of the seventeenth century – the golden age
of Romanian culture – wrote most of their works in this area; Dimitrie
Cantimir, whose reputation has reached much of Europe, is linked to
the city. The Palace of
Culture, a Neogothic
building dating from the
beginning
of
the
twentieth
century,
houses a wide-ranging
museum complex.
The
whole
county is a museum,
celebrating
history,
literature,
folklore,
architecture and even
natural resources such
The Dosoftei House
as mineral springs and vineyards.
The “ Al. I. Cuza “ University
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The Palace of Culture
It took twenty years to build the palace. It was completed in
1926 and is on the site of a ruler’s palace dating from 1434. Parts of
special interest to the tourist include external ornamental details, a
gothic hall, the rulers’ hall featuring potraits of Moldovan rulers and
Romanian kings and the bell clock which has eight bells that play
hourly. The palace also contains interesting museums.
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The Metropolitan Cathedral
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The Metropolitan Cathedral is
the biggest church in Romania. It is in
the romantic style with baroque
decoration. In 1889, the remains of
Saint Parascheva, the Protector of
Moldova, were brought here and there
is an annual pilgrimage to the
cathedral on 14 October.
The Three Hierarchs
Monastery
The monastery is in the centre
of the city. It was built in the period
1635-9 and combines the architectural styles of two provinces. Sadly,
it was seriously damaged in 1650 and 1686. Its main attractions are its
exterior sculptures and the fine interior mosaics. It also has a
permanent exhibition of religion, history and art. The monastery’s
church is one of the great masterpieces of Romanian art. It contains
over thirty styles of decorative art, western architectural elements
combining with oriental ones and influences include Georgian,
Persian, Arabian and Ottoman. The overall effect is one of harmony.
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Copou Park and Eminescu’s tree
The park was first arranged in 1833, though it has since been
modernised. It has the oldest monument in Romania: the Monument of
Constitutional Laws, known as the Obelisk, is 15 m high and weighs
10 tonnes. It is supported by four lions, representing the four European
powers that recognised Romania’s independence.
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Al. I. Cuza University
Founded in 1860, it is Romania’s oldest university. The current
buildings were built in the period 1893-7 and combine classical and
baroque styles.
Botanical garden
Started in the seventeenth century, the garden was established in its
current location in 1960. Its size of 105 hectares makes it one of the
world’s largest gardens. Greenhouses cover Mediterranean, tropical
and sub-tropical plants, many ornamental flowers and a collection of
fossils. The rose area contains over 800 kinds of special roses.
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Ion Creanga’s house
Built in 1850, this was the writer’s
home between 1872 and 1889, the year of
his death. In 1879, Romania’s most
famous writer, Mihai Eminescu, stayed
here. The building became the country’s
first memorial house in 1918 and in 1989,
on the centenary of his death, a new
building was opened to house a permanent
document museum.
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VASLUI
The county of Vaslui is in eastern Romania and is in the basin
of the River Bârlad. The eastern border is also the national border and
ends at the River Prut. Beyond this is the Republic of Moldova. The
county covers 5,318 sq km and has a population of 462,000. The most
important towns are Vaslui, with a population of 80,000, Bârald, Huşi
and Negreşti. Geographically, the area is one of low hills, ranging
from 500 m to only 20 m. The climate is continental with uneven
rainfall that often produces droughts in summer.
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Cultural buildings
1. Statue of Stephen the
Great
The statue was erected 10 km
to the south of Vaslui at the site of
a famous victory. Stephen the
Great beat the Ottoman army
decisively in 1475 even though he
had fewer soldiers. It is one of the
most celebrated Romanian military
victories.
2. Stephen the Great county
museum
Opened in 1971, this museum contains a history section that
includes items from the paleolithic era to recent times. From the
medieval period, there are remarkable finds from the ruler’s palace
while another display covers the war of independence of 1877-8. The
largest part of the items on display covers old history and archeology,
some 18,000 items in total. The whole period of human habitation in
the area is covered.
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3. Peneş Curcanul’s mausoleum
This mausoleum commemorates
those who gave their lives in the
capture of Plevna during the war of
independence in 1877.
4. The
Constantin
culture house
Tănase
This impressive modern building was built in 1972 as part of the
town’s civic centre. It contains classrooms, offices, a theatre, a library
and technical facilities. It was named after the comic actor of
international fame who was an artist, a director and an inspiration for
scripts. He is of unique stature among Romanian actors. The building
hosts a range of conferences, exhibitions, competitions and a variety of
shows.
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5. The church of Saint John
The church of Saint John the
Baptist was built in 1490 by
Stephen
the
Great
to
commemorate his 1475 victory
against the Ottoman army. It is
in classical Moldovan style.
Especially important are objects
from the feudal and pre-feudal
periods. There are many precious items found in locations in the
area that have been gathered together in this church.
Natural attractions
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1.Bălteni wood
This nature reserve covers 50 hectares in the flood plain of the
River Bârlad. It is a steppe wood in the central Moldovan hills.
Within the reserve are some plants left over from glaciers and
many other unusual plants.
2.Burcel’s Movila
This is a site of historical interest,
linked to Stephen the Great’s 1475
victory. It is a botanical reserve near
the village of Micleşti and is of special
interest, having over 275 species of
flowering plants.
There are two forests worth
mentioning: Hărboanca Brăhăşoaia, 16
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km northwest of Vaslui, which is an important forest rich in
species of oak; Bădeana, near Tutova, which is also a forest
reserve.
3.Măluşteni fossil site
This paleontological site 55 km from Vaslui is one of the
richest fossil sites in Romania. Over 30 species of mammals have
been found here, such as monkey, antelope, camel, deer, goat,
rabbit and tortoise. Comparisons with other sites in Europe
suggests that these finds date from the Pliocene period.
HUŞI
THE TOWN AMONG VINEYARDS
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The first mention of Huşi is in a letter of 1487 sent by Stephen
the Great and during his reign the town became the location of the
ruler’s residence. In 1495, at a time of regional prosperity, the same
ruler built the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. From that
time until the unification of Romania, many rulers used this residence.
The town and its surroundings have become known as the “land of
wines”, being exceptionally blessed by favourable conditions for
vineyards and generations that have worked hard to develop this
heritage. Over 300 important figures in Romanian history and culture
have come from this area.
The town of churches
The Church of the Holy
Apostles is the biggest in the town.
In 1592, the regional ruler created
the office of bishop for Huşi. The
town
can
be
considered
muticonfessional, there being
eleven Orthodox churches and a
monastery, two Catholic churches,
an Adventist house of prayer and a
synagogue. The town’s cemetries
reflect the same range of faiths.
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Culture
The town’s written culture began in 1598 when the first bishop
was appointed on the insistence of the senior church leader in
Moldova, who happened to be the brother of the ruler. Many of the
bishops have proved to be not just spiritual leaders but also great men
of culture producing their own books as well as translating from other
languages.
Museums
Palace of Husi
There are four museums in the town: a municipal museum, a
museum of viticulture, one devoted to old books and a final one with
the theme of caricatures.
The viticulture museum
A teacher at the school of viticulture started the museum and
he has left behind an important source of information concerning the
tools and methods used to transform grapes into wine. The collection
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houses hundreds of types of wines and, uniquely, strange but natural
pieces of vine that resemble faces or animals.
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BÂRLAD
A short history
Bârlad is first mentioned in
a Russian chronical of 1174 as a
town beyond Russia’s border.
Internal documents show Bârlad to
have been an important centre.
Geographically, it is between two
hills and is on the river that bears
its name. It has useful natural
resources including hydrocarbon
deposits, construction stone and
brick-making materials, mineral
water suitable for therapeutic
treatment and drinking water. Its
climate is continental, recorded
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temperature extremes being +39.7 °C and -30.5 °C. The flora and
fauna are typical for steppe woodlands in a temperate continental
climate and some species of trees from other countries have been
planted to enrich the environment. Agriculture in this area is varied:
cereals, research plants, orchards, vineyards and vegetables.
The River Bârlad
The river starts in the high hills
of northern Moldova and flows mainly
southwards into the River Siret, its total
length being 247 km.
The Vasile Pârvan Museum
Local intellectuals founded the museum in 1914 to gather items
of cultural value into a single place so as to make an accessible
collection. Although the collection covers a wide range of subjects, it
focuses on archeology-history, natural sciences and local celebrities.
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Şuţu house
Currently in private hands, this house belonged to Grigore Şuţu
who was a wealthy man, a politician and a union leader. He built it in
1840 and in 1857 became a member of the temporary Moldovan
government.
The Stroe Belloescu town library
In 1909, Stroe Belloescu, a teacher, donated the building to the
town to provide safe storage for a library and a museum. Weakened
from every point of view
by the Second World
War, it benefited from an
administrative
reorganisation that made
it a key library in the
region. It has a strong
reputation thanks to the
dedication of its staff.
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The Victor Ion Popa theatre
Built in 1955 as a state theatre, it was a major advance on the
former amateur theatre. Being much better equipped and more
spacious, it brought a new level of theatre to the town. It takes its name
from a great local dramatist. The theatre players have done well at all
levels of competition from local to national and have an impressive
collection of awards.
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The Public Garden
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Poland
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Poland - Introduction
Thousand years back, in the first period of the existence of the
Polish state, the membership of our country the circle of the
western culture became enter. This bond remained through
whole millennium, once weakening this again becoming
stronger
History of Poland proved equally stormy of as whole Europe dynasties changed, bloody wars were fought, borders were
changed, great fortunes arising, and the other hand great
poverty brought famine and diseases. The simultaneously
progress of civilization followed, the development of the science,
cultures, architectures, skills agricultural, craftsman's and to the
end the unusual development of the industry, new technologies,
cities, services, tourisms, business contacts, motorizations,
computer sciences
Poland has over millennial history which left many signs on its
lands. These signs include medieval castles and modern
fortresses, the old part of towns and palaces. The signs are not
only Polish, however. The Teutonic Order, the partitions of
Poland between Russia, Austria and Prussia, the wielding of
Germany have all left marks in our country. Also the signs of
Polish Jews whose presence was finished by Nazi Holocoust.
Poland has also got the culture, which since Middle Ages has
been connected to the western world. It has also got the rich
artistic life now, which in many fields – music, film, literature and
arts – has a strong resonance in the world.
Poland is the country of friendly and hospitable people. People,
who have respect for their traditions, especially Christmas and
Easter, and in some regions they cultivate their folklore, but at
the same time they are open for the new.
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Poland has also got superb names of people in the field
science, culture and arts: Nicolaus Copernicus, Frederic
Chopin, Mary Skłodowska -Curie, Andrzej Wajda, Czesław
Miłosz, Wisława Szymborska, Roman Polański, Jan Paul II,
sportsmen: Robert Korzeniowski, Adam Małysz, politicians -the
president of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski.
And also the man who moved millions of Polish hearts, the
conductor of the greatest orchestra of the world - Jerzy Owsiak
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Poland is also the cities with their interesting history with
splendid ancient monuments and places which remain in our memory
and heart to the end of life: Warsaw - the capital of Poland, Cracow,
Częstochowa, Danzig, Malbork, Wroclaw....
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In March 1999 Poland joined NATO and on the 1st May 2004
Poland became the member of the European Union.
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History of Warsaw capital Town of
Poland
Warsaw was a small fishing village in the 13th century. In time, it
became one of the seats of the Dukes of Masovia. Upon the extinction
of the ducal line, the duchy was incorporated into the Kingdom of
Poland in 1526. Warsaw became the capital of Poland in 1596, when
King Sigismund III (Vasa) moved the capital from Krakow.
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Warsaw remained the capital of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
until 1795, when it was annexed by the Kingdom of Prussia, to
become the capital of the Province New East Prussia. Liberated by
Napoleon's army in 1807, it was made the capital of the newly created
Duchy of Warsaw. Following the decisions of the Congress of Vienna
1815, Warsaw became the center of the Polish Kingdom, a
constitutional monarchy under a personal union with Imperial Russia.
Aerial view of Warsaw in 1915
In the course of the Polish- Bolshevik War of 1920 there was a huge
Battle of Warsaw fought on the eastern outskirts of the city in which
the capital of Poland was defended and the Red Army defeated.
Warsaw is notable among Europe's capital cities not for its size, its
age, or its beauty but for its indestructibility. It is a phoenix that has
risen repeatedly from the ashes. Its most remarkable act of survival,
though, was its rebirth following almost complete destruction during
the Second World War.
The Second World War began when Germany invaded western Poland
on 1st September 1939.. Western Poland was incorporated into the
German Reich, eastern Poland into the USSR while central Poland,
including Warsaw, became part of a German-occupied military zone,
the General Government. Warsaw became an occupied city under the
control of the Nazi SS. All higher education institutions were
immediately closed and Warsaw's entire Jewish population—several
hundred thousand, some 40% of the city—herded into the Warsaw
ghetto. When the order came to liquidate the Ghetto as part of Hitler's
"final solution", Jewish fighters launched the Ghetto Uprising. Despite
being heavily outgunned and outnumbered, the Ghetto held out for
almost a month. When it ended, the survivors were massacred.
During 1943 and 1944 the tide of the war changed as the USSR, which
had been at war with Germany since 1941, inflicted several severe
defeats on the German army. By July 1944 the Soviets were deep into
Polish territory and pursuing the Germans towards Warsaw. Knowing
that Stalin was hostile to the idea of an independent Poland, the Polish
government-in-exile (based in London) gave orders to the underground
Home Army (AK) to try to seize control of Warsaw from the Nazis
just before the Soviets arrive. Thus on August 1, 1944, as the Soviet
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army was moving towards the city very fast, the Home Army and the
general population started the Warsaw Uprising.
After war many of the historic streets,
buildings, and churches were restored
to their original form. In 1980, the
historic Old Town of Warsaw was
inscribed onto UNESCO's World
Heritage list.
The new part of Warsaw.
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Poland is a country rich in landscapes and in various scenery. It has
long, sandy and partly cliff seacoast. Extensive lake districts, with the
Land of Mazurian Great Lakes. Picturesquely pleated or flat but
luxuriantly bosky lowlands. And mountains - from Karkonosze - low,
but fabulously sculptured by the nature to the Tatras. In twenty three
National Parks one can find unusual natural attractions.
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THE POLISH FAUNA
STORKS 25% of the world population of white storks founds
nests between Oder and Bug. Ornithologists made their count
square in Poland over 40 thousands of these birds.
THE BLACK STORK In Poland appears over 400 sorts of
birds. The black stork is the very rare sort of breeding, is under
a rigorous protection
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GEESE GĘGAWA rare birds of Europe fancied bog- regions of
the north-east part of Poland
IGLE PRZEDNI, the protected sort. Formerly enough in great
number this bird appeared in all Europe. Today, in consequence
of the fall of old stands in forests their number drastically came
down. In Poland they appear mostly in Carpathians and on
Masuria.
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ŻUBRY- European bisons - exterminated almost completely
in XVIII c. In Poland succeeded in the rescuing these animals.
Most of all bisons live nowadays in the Białowierza Forest about 250 representatives of this sort. The all population in
Poland counts 660 individuals.
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Silesia
After the Second World War Będzin started to belong administratively
to the district of Silesia.
The Silesia district is usually associated with heavy industry,
mining, degradation of environment. Despite of it you can find there
46
plenty of touristy attractions : Mountains Beskidy- famous for winter
sports , Błędowska Desert, etc.
Katowice- an industrial city
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Częstochowa
is one of the most important cities in the region - the spiritual capital
of Poland
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Region Małopolska
Będzin administratively belongs to the district of Silesia – but by heart,
by traditions and customs, our town has never been a Silesian one. Our
historical roots led us rather to Małopolska with capital city Krakow.
That we like to show there Polish Jura- part of Małopolska - one of
the most beautiful areas of our country.
49
.
The Region of Jura is the cradle of the Polish state. In the caves near
Ojców, the oldest human remains on the area of Poland were found.
Favorable conditions of undulating terrain and the abundance of caves,
where the primitive people could live, caused that soon these natural
shelters were filed with inhabitants. It was also influenced by the
abundance of the natural resource – flint.
Since then, planting of towns continuously developed. Between
12th and 14th centuries almost all of now existing towns and
villages were founded. 14th and 15th centuries were the Golden
Age of the area between Kraków and Wieluń. Then, because of
the borderline between Poland and Silesia, the unbeatable
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defense system consisting of monumental
inaccessible watchtowers was created.
castles
and
15th cent. was also the development of mining, steel and iron
industries. Lead and silver mining began near Olkusz on a large
scale and iron working, on the other hand, was developing near
Zawiercie.
With the economic development, the power of the western part
of the Malopolska Region was rising and its inhabitants were
getting wealthier. The church authority was also of considerable
importance at the time. It seized power in the Principality of
Siewierz, which came into being on the initiative of the Bishop of
Kraków.
In the 16th cent., in the central and southern part of Jura, the
Reformation centres appeared. The tendency to change
churches into congregation followed. The different attitude to
religion, however, caused that the Catholics started to fight for
their beliefs and against this, for some people,
incomprehensible faction.
Unfortunately, the exuberant development was hampered in the
17th cent. because of numerable wars. The Swedish Invasion of
Poland in 1655 was the crucial factor causing the end of the
Golden Age. At the time, the most famous event of the Invasion
took place – the defence of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa. It was
a breakpoint in the military actions of both sides. The Invasion
caused, however, that many castles were damaged, villages
and towns were burnt and the beginnings of mining, steel and
iron industries were destroyed. Since then, all the towns in the
area were trying to regain splendour, but they did not manage
because of such obstacles as wars and partitions.
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History of Cracow- capital town of
Małopolska
9th C The Wislanie (a Slavonic tribe) inhabit a fortified town on
the Wawel
1000 Cracow’s bishopric is founded
1025 Boleslaw the Brave crowned as the first King of Poland
mid-11th C Wawel becomes the residence of the Polish kings
1241 A trumpeter is shot by an arrow while warning of the Tartar
raid; a
Cracow rafts man kills the Tartar Khan
1257 Cracow receives its charter and the Old Town’s streets are
laid out
13th C The Salt-Works Castle is built in Wieliczka
1333-70 Reign of King Kazimierz Wielki (the Great)
1335 Charter for the Town of Kazimierz is granted
1364 King Kazimierz III the Great (1333-70) founds the Cracow
Academy; Council of Monarchs
1491-95 Copernicus studies at Jagiellonian University
1495 Jews moved to Kazimierz ghetto
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1501-06 Reign of King Alexander
1504-36 Wawel Castle assumes its present shape
1506-48 Reign of King Sigismund I the Old
1548-72 Reign of King Sigismund II Augustus
1572 King Sigismund II August dies heirless – end of
Jagiellonian dynasty; beginning of Polish Baroque period
1609 King Sigismund III Wasa leaves to take up residence in
Warsaw
1655-58 Swedes invade Poland and pillage Cracow
1683 Jan Sobieski breaks Turks siege of Vienna
1703-21 Swedes at war with Poland again
1772 First partition of Poland
1776 Austrian occupation of Cracow
1794 General Tadeusz Kosciuszko incites revolution
1795 After the third partition of Poland, Wawel is used as an
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Austrian barracks for almost a century
1815-46 The region enjoys limited autonomy as a free city – the
Republic of Cracow
1846 Cracow is incorporated into Austro-Hungarian province of
Galicia
1868 Galicia is granted autonomy within the empire
1905 Austrian army departs from Wawel Castle
6 Sep 1939 Nazis invade the city
2000 Cracow is one of the nine European Cities of Culture
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Będzin
the country discritct town seat in south Poland, lying on the
Silesian Upland ,
in the river valley of Czarna Pszemsza, in the Silesian province.
Będzin situated lies off 12 km from the capital
of the province
Katowic and along with with neighbouring cities : Sosnowiec,
with the Dąbrowa Górnicza , with the Czeladź, Sławkow and
Siewierz creates the Zagłębie whose it is a historic capital.
Municipal rights Będzin received in 1358 year.
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BĘDZIN IN THE PAST
SEVEN AGES OF HISTORY
Over 700 years ago, a small village located in the Śląska
Upland, on the western limits of the region of Małopolska, gave
rise to present Będzin – one of the oldest towns in Upper
Silesia. In the 14th century, King Casimir the Great – perceiving
the advantages and danger resulting from the border location –
made a decision to build a brick guardhouse on a hill on the
Czarna Przemsza River, and in 1358 he bestowed civic rights
on this village. A first monitor Będzina was Hungarian Hinko
Ethiopus whose the cachet in the form of the letter „H” over the
Piast eagle remained on the wall of the corner- house at
Czeladzka Street to our times
In the first half XV to ages the city was oppressed continuous
attacks {robberies} of bands of knightly and Germanizing
Silesian princes prowling on the borderland of the Polish state.
In 1434 year it arrives at contracted on of castle the agreement
giving a quietus to to the lawlessness. Up to this day, the castle
tows over the town, telling the newcomers the extraordinary
history of the medieval town, which – esteemed by successive
rules and abounding in privileges – was a venue of important
events. It was here where in 1434 an agreement was reached
between rules of Silesia and Wielkopolska, and the
”Transaction of Będzin” – a Polish-Austrian agreement on
succession to the throne after Stefan Batory was signed in
1588. The town functioned as a border trade center, and it was
a mainstay of royal rule surrounded by private and church
assets.
Over the ages, Będzin residents were struggling witch
disasters and invasions of enemies. Several times it was
almost completely destroyed, for example during the Swedish ”
deluge”; however, it was quickly reconstructed by the residents
creating a new town and a new life.
56
A huge change was brought about when coal deposits were
discovered in Będzin in the area belonging to burghers and industrial
development came in their wake. In 1823, the first mine was
established in Grodziec, and two years later another mine –
”Ksawery”. In 1848, a section of the Warsaw-Vienna railway line
running through Będzin was opened. It used to connect developing
Silesia and the Kingdom of Poland. In 1857, the world’s fifth and
Poland’s first cement mill ”Grodziec” was established here.
Owing to the hospitality and openness of the residents,
numerous foreigners were settling here for good, frequently with
their knowledge and work becoming a permanent part of the
town`s history. At that time, Będzin constituted one of bigger
Jewish communities in the Kingdom of Poland. The town was
flourishing thanks to common work of Polis and Jewish people
which in the late 19th century constituted about 50% of the town
residents
The stormy 20th century brought huge destruction again, as an
extremely intensive development of Będzin. Almost complete
liquidation of industry during last World War one reconstruction
of the town in the inter-war period, the drama of extermination of
Jews during World War Two and the postwar heyday of Będzin
are only by Będzin residents creating today the new image of
the town.
57
58
BĘDZIN TODAY
The Castle Hills
The night illumination of Castle Hills
59
WITNESSES OF THE PAST
The oldest and the most eminent historical sigh of Będzin is the castle
- a magnificent example of medieval fortified architecture. As in the
old days, one can admire its mighty walls, gateway, small courtyard
with a high tower and a keep reaching the fourth floor. The castle
interiors house today collections of the Museum in Będzin. The
collections feature military, accessories, mainly European and eastern
arms, as well as exhibits from America and Africa. The last floor
presents memorabilia of military troops connected with Będzin,
whereas the highest floor of the square tower is devoted to the history
of the guardhouse itself.
The festival Celtic music
60
The Mieroszewski’s Palast
Residence architecture is represented by the Mieroszewski
palace in Gzichów.In the baroque building constructed in the
early 18th century , inspired by French models, one can perceive
classicism motifs, whereas the palace rooms are decorated with
the oldest in Silesia frescos on secular topics. The palace itself
is a part of a palace-park complex, including former stables, a
manorial building and a picturesque park with baroque
sculptures. Inside the palace , one can see expositions of the
Museum presenting, among others, the history of the Zagłębie ,
as well as a museum of palace interiors and painting
exhibitions.
A palace-park complex of the Ciechanowski family from
the mid-19th century is located in Grodziec. It includes manorial
buildings, a place – present Social Welfare centre, and a 19th century park belonging to the best-preserved tree stands in the
area of Będzin ,with 20 natural phenomena
61
The church Św. Trójcy
Next to castle, surrounded on three sides with a moat,
towers the Holy Trinity Church, the oldest wall parts of which
date back to the time of King Casimir the Great. Particulary
noteworthy is the interior with a richly decorated baroque altar
with painting of the Holy Trinity in the nave, an aytltar at the
Chapel of Otsur Lady of Częstochowa, an ambo, and a
baroque choir with the coat of arms of the Mieroszewski family
– Ślepowron (the night heron).
62
Germany
:
63
Germany - Introduction
Germany today
is a member of
the continent's
economic,
political, and
defence
organizations.
European
power struggles
immersed
Germany in two
devastating
World Wars in
the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by
the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the
Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two
German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal
Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German
Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded
itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the
EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist
GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The
decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for
German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended
considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up
to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other
EU countries introduced a common European exchange
currency, the euro. It is Europe's largest economy and most
populous nation.
64
Main Facts
Area:
Natural
resources:
total: 357,021 sq km
coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore,
copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt,
construction materials, timber, arable
land
Land use:
arable land: 33.85%
Population:
82,424,609 (July 2004 est.)
Ethnic groups: German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other
6.1% (made up largely of Greek,
Italian, Polish, Russian, SerboCroatian, Spanish)
Religions:
Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%,
Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other
28.3%
Government
federal republic
type:
Capital:
Berlin
Administrative 13 states (Laender, singular - Land)
divisions:
and 3 free states
Independence: 18 January 1871 (German Empire
unification); divided into four zones of
occupation in 1945 following World
War II; Federal Republic of Germany
(FRG or West Germany) proclaimed 23
May 1949; German Democratic
Republic (GDR or East Germany)
proclaimed 7 October 1949; unification
of West Germany and East Germany
took place 3 October 1990;
Executive
chief of state: President Horst
branch:
KOEHLER
Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER;
head of
Vice Chancellor Joschka FISCHER
government:
Labour force: 42.63 million (2003)
Labour force - agriculture 2.8%, industry 33.4%,
65
by occupation: services 63.8% (1999)
Unemployment 10.5% (2003 est.)
rate:
Industries:
among the world's largest and most
technologically advanced producers of
iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals,
machinery, vehicles, machine tools,
electronics, food and beverages;
shipbuilding; textiles
66
Lower Saxony /Niedersachsen:
The federal state of Lower Saxony is
located in the north-west of Germany.
To the west it borders the Netherlands,
and it also shares a frontier with other
German states: North RhineWestphalia to the south-west, Hesse
and Thuringia to the south, SaxonyAnhalt to the east, MecklenburgVorpommern to the north-east, and
Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein to
the north. The Free Hanseatic City of
Bremen and the town of Bremerhaven,
which together form the federal state of
Bremen, are enclosed within Lower
67
A state with far-sighted vision
Lower Saxony has
a lot to
offer. Not only does
Germany's secondlargest
state have cultural,
scenic
and traditional
appeal,
it has proven itself as a successful
location
for industry and commerce.
Volkswagen AG is Europe's largest
automaker, having produced well
over 50
million VW cars. Lower Saxony has
twice as
many automobile-related jobs as the national average for
Germany's federal states. Agriculture plays a
similarly important role. But to pigeon-hole
Lower Saxony as an agrarian region is to fail to
do it justice. The Hannover Fair and the CeBit
computer show have made the Hannover area
into the world's most important location for trade fairs. The
universities of Brunswick and Göttingen with their long and
distinguished history, Hannover
Medical
School and numerous non-university
research institutes attest to the close
interdependence between science
and
industry.
The state - comparatively unspoiled by
development - offers appealing countryside
between the Ems and Elbe rivers, between the
mountain summits of the Harz region and the
maritime climate
68
of the North Sea. Lower Saxony is
committed
to nature conservation: more than
20 per
cent of the state's area has been
designated as protected, with the
mudflats
of the Wattenmeer National Park
taking in
the entire North Sea coast, and the Harz National Park
extending over the state border into Sachsen-Anhalt. The
Elbtalaue river landscape enjoys protected status as a
biosphere reserve. In between lie countless peat bogs, secluded
areas of heathland and extensive tracts of mixed woodland.
From the Harz mountains to Neuharlingersiel
In the north we find the seven East
Frisian
islands of Borkum, Juist, Norderney,
Baltrum,
Langeoog, Spiekeroog and
Wangerooge. Broad white beaches,
the ebb
and flow of the tides, sand dunes,
and
more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the state.
Across from the islands lies East Frisia, known
as "the land beyond the dyke", whose
independence outlasted that of every other
region in Lower Saxony. This is seafaring
country and the hiding place of the notorious
pirate Störtebaker; a region whose towns have a Dutch feel to
them and where tea consumption is
the
highest in Germany.
To the south, the Emsland region
down to the Dutch border, much of
was inaccessible only 100 years
extends
which
ago.
The adjoining region, the Oldenburger Münsterland, has
developed from impoverished farming country into a leading
European stock-breeding centre - not far from Osnabrück, the
city near Teutoburg Forest associated with the Treaty of
Westphalia.
69
From the old principality of
Schaumburg-Lippe, via Hamelin of
Pied
Piper fame, the hilly country of the
Weserbergland extends as far as
the town
of Hannoversch Münden. The
legends
and stories surrounding the Weser, this fairy-tale German river,
were recorded by the Brothers Grimm in Göttingen.
The stories in the Harz - Lower Saxony's
mountain range whose silver mines formerly
bestowed abundant wealth - are, however,
about witches. Where German emperors once
built an imperial palace, it is now half-timbered
towns and enchanting woods that attract the tourists.
Today Lower Saxony's economic
power is
concentrated to the north of the Harz
region,
where five sizeable cities lie in close
proximity: Hildesheim, whose
churches feature on the World
Cultural
Heritage list; the still-young steel centre of Salzgitter; Hannover,
which plays host to the largest trade fairs in the world;
Wolfsburg, with Volkswagen's new "Autostadt" automotive
theme park; and, right in the middle, Brunswick, the city with a
high-tech tradition stretching back 250 years.
Still further north we find the Lüneburg Heath,
named after the city of Lüneburg which owed
its prosperity in the Middle Ages to salt.
Discovered as a recreation area only 100 years
ago, for a long time this heathland region lay off
the beaten track near the border to the former East Germany; it
has to this day remained sandy, idyllic and a haven of solitude.
In spring, apple trees in blossom
hordes of visitors beyond the dyke
Altes Land area just outside
Hamburg. Here the so-called "Wet
begins: flat country between the
70
attract
of the
Triangle"
estuaries
of the Elbe and Weser, criss-crossed by peat bogs, home to the
fishing town of Cuxhaven and the artists' colony of Worpswede.
The journey takes us via Bremen, a federal
state in its own right (although enclosed by
Lower Saxony), along the Weser and back to
the university town of Oldenburg. The region of
the same name extends from the Münsterland
area to Wilhelmshaven, the state's largest port. Or, to be more
precise: up to Wangerooge, the seventh of the "East Frisian"
islands (although it has never actually belonged to East Frisia).
71
The town of Königslutter
Cloister
Collection of fossils
Emperor’s
cathedral
The town with about
17,000 inhabitants is
situated on the northern
edge of the Elm, the
largest beech forest in
northern Germany. It is a
popular recreation area.
The town is centrally
located in Germany near
traffic routes (motorway
and railway line Hanover –
Berlin). It is well connected
the neighbouring towns
Helmstedt (12 km),
Braunschweig and
Wolfsburg (26 km).
main
A2
to
72
The last German Emperor, Lothar III
from
the Saxon line is buried in the
cathedral which was built by him.
The
historical centre of the town is
dominated by half-timbered and
baroque facades. Königslutter is a
good
starting point for
outings into the Elm.
The
well-known
"Ducksteinbier" was
originally brewn in Königlutter. Due to the clear
and good water of the Lutter 73 breweries
started the economic developement of
Königslutter. The beer was exported as far as the Netherlands.
Today, however, there is no brewery at all.
Kattreppeln
Ansicht Marktplatz
Rathaus und
Stadtkirche
The origins of the town Königslutter can be traced back to the village
of Lutter (1150) and the moated castle of the Duke of Brunswiek
(1200). In about 1400 Königslutter received it’s recognition as a town
allowing independence in legal and administrative matters.
73
The surrounding area of Königslutter – mysterious
mountains, living cities, wonderful landscapes
The Elm
Everywhere in the area of the Elm- Lappwald
you have good opportunities to hike, ride your
bike or just to relax. There are signposted
footpaths, shelter huts, benches, barbecue
sites and little restaurants.
In every season our countryside has its special
fascination.: in spring the hiker is fascinated by
the gentle green, in the summer heat the shadow of the
beeches gives comfort, in fall you can enjoy the special “Lower
Saxony” Indian Summer. The winter with its snow and hoarfrost
immerses the countryside in a magic calmness.
The
74
Tetzelstein
An old legend and its historic background
When Luther experienced his
profound conviction of faith, he
began to criticize the theology of
indulgences in his sermons. His
displeasure increased noticeably
during 1517, when the Dominican
John Tetzel was preaching
throughout much of Germany on
behalf of a papal fund-raising campaign to complete the
construction of St Peter's basilica in Rome. In exchange for a
contribution, Tetzel
boasted,
he would provide donors
with an
indulgence that would
even
apply beyond the grave
and free
souls from purgatory. "As
soon as
the coin in the coffer
rings,"
went his jingle, "the soul
from
purgatory springs." Luther promptly drew up 95 propositions for
theological debate and on 31 October 1517,
following university custom, he posted them
on the Castle Church door at Wittenberg. It
is said that at the location called Tetzelstein
(in the middle of the Elm ) this monk was
robbed by a knight who had previously
bought an indulgence.
75
Harz
Winter in the Harz
The Harz mountains are wonderful
places for winter sports. Here you find
more than 500 kilometres of crosscountry skiing trails, luge runs, ice
skating facilities and ski runs. You
even take part in a dog sledding
competition..
can
If you like to have a more comfortable
time
you can travel on a traditional steam train
and
have a glass of mulled wine in their dining
car.
Or you can ride wrapped up snug and
warm in a horse-drawn sleigh through the winter countryside. To end
the day you might frequent an open air thermal bath and let snowflakes
fall gently on your head.
76
Harz mining
The Harz also has a long mining tradition.
Even in medieval times the imperial town of
Goslar owed its wealth to silver mining. In
1775 a school for miners and foundry workers
was established in Clausthal which developed
into a world-famous mining college. Over
1000 years of mining history can be
experienced in the various mining museums.
Entering the mountain on a mining train you
can hear and see the old machinery at work.
The magical Harz
Wandering through
Germany's Harz
Mountains, it's impossible
realize that you have
domain of enchantment, a
where landscape
with legend to create a
lurking mystery.
Spookiness emanates
bizarre rock formation in
Brocken forests.
not to
entered a
place
conspires
sense of
from a
the
Rumour had it that
witches gathered on the
Brockenberg on
Walpurgisnacht, May Day Eve.
Europe's
77
Nature of the Harz
Magnificent beechwood forests,
tumbling streams, widespread high
virgin mountain fir forests and oceans
offer many opportunities to let your
float free
discover
steeply
moors,
of stone
soul
and
the
wilderness.
Here you can find scarce animals
and plants. Wildcats, wood grouse,
eagle owls, kingfishers und black
storks are still at home here.
Harz Narrow-Gauge Railways
(HSB)
Alongside the "trains of
engines and railcars
fixed timetable recreate
bygone romance of the
old", the steam
which run by a
the flair of the
railways as they
pass
the
with the
the
and of
Northern
through the countryside of
"High Harz" national park
legendary Mount Brocken,
source area of the Bode
the highest peaks in
Harz.
78
Lüneburger Heide - Pure Nature in the Heathland
Discover the lively and colourful
side of the Lüneburg Heath. The
heath is much more than just an
idyllic postcard scene - it has its
own, very surprising character.
The landscapes and vegetation
promise a varied and absorbing natural experience that is
unique in Europe. In the three nature parks of the heath, any
tourist who loves nature will be overcome by the incredible
beauty of the landscape. The Lüneburg Heath contains more
leisure, experience and wildlife
parks close to each other than
anywhere else in Germany.
79
This promises to make a stay
on the Lüneburg Heath a real
adventure for young and old.
In this unique area of natural
beauty, and with so many
experience and leisure parks,
families with children
especially have two good
reasons for a longer holiday
stay here. For strolling and
shopping, the two historical towns of Lüneburg and Celle are
never far away from your holiday location on the heath. The
town centres are full of bars and cafés, and shopping and
strolling in Lüneburg and Celle is an experience that is attracting
more and more big city dwellers to the heath.
Provided that the climatic
conditions remain
balanced the common
Besen-Heath (Calluna
vulgaris) blooms from the
beginning of August until
the middle of September.
The less common BogHeath (Erika tetralix)
already blossoms from
July on. The heath develops on the dry sandy soil. This artificial
landscape is nowadays maintained by the grazing of the
Heidschnucke moorland sheep.
80
Helmstedt
Helmstedt is
situated on the
line of railway from
Brunswiek to
Magdeburg and at
A2 from Hannover
Berlin. The principal
buildings are the
Juleum, the former
university, built in the
main
the
to
81
Renaissance style containing a library
of 40,000 volumes; the fine
Stephanskirche dating from
the 12th
century; the Walpurgiskirche
restored
in 1893-1894; the
Marienberger Kirche, a
beautiful
church in the Roman style,
and the
Roman Catholic church. The
Augustinian nunnery of
Marienberg founded in 1176
is a
Lutheran school now. The
town
contains the ruins of the
Benedictine abbey of St
Ludger,
which was secularized in 1803. The educational institutions
include several schools. The principal manufactures are
furniture, yarn, soap, tobacco,
sugar, vitriol and earthenware. Near
the town is Bad Helmstedt, which
has an iron mineral spring, and the
Lübbensteine, two blocks
82
of
granite
on
which
sacrifices to Woden are said
to have
been offered. Helmstedt was
not
founded until about 900. It
obtained
civic rights in 1099 and,
although
destroyed by the archbishop
of
Magdeburg in 1199, it was soon rebuilt. In 1457 it joined the
Hanseatic League, and in 1490 it
came into the possession of
Brunswick. In 1576 Julius, duke of
Brunswick, founded a university
here.
From
1945
until
in
a major
East
German reunification
1990, Helmstedt was
frontier post between
and West Germany.
Helmstedt was
primarily as a major
crossing to East Germany.
known
border
83
Brunswick
84
Brunswick, the city of Henry the
the second largest city in Lower
with a population of about 240,000.
and uniqueness stem from the
between history and present,
and future.
Lion, is
Saxony
Its charm
contrast
tradition
Brunswick is a cultural and
centre in the region. The city, with
extensive pedestrian areas, has a
interesting and varied centre which
visitors to explore.
economic
its
lively,
invites
Five "Islands of Tradition" and Other Sights Worth Seeing are
connected by streets, lanes and arcades with numerous
specialty stores, boutiques and department stores.
Castle Square (Burgplatz)
Cathedral (Dom)
85
The City Hall
Lion of the Castle
History
Brunswick probably
developed from a supply and
resting
place, which was set up by
travelling merchants over
1000
years ago. This place was
located
at the intersection of
important trade routes. From
this
point onward, the Oker was navigable by way of the Aller and
the Weser to Bremen and then to the sea. The favourable
location of the market settlement caused Henry the Lion to
choose Brunswick as his place of residence during the middle of
the 12th century.
86
Brunswick - The High Tech City at the Heart of Europe
Brunswick unites tradition and high technology, outstanding
infrastructure and an excellent location at the heart of northern
Europe. It is home to 14 research establishments of
international renown and the centre of the most intensive
research region in the whole of the EU.
The spectrum ranges from aerospace focusing
on AVIONIK / Air Traffic Management at
Europe´s only research airport via biotechnology
(Federal Biological Institute for Agricultural and
Forestry Sciences "BBA", Federal Agricultural
Research Institute "FAL", to basic research into
physical engineering at the German Bureau of
Standards "PTB".
At the heart of this extraordinary research
landscape is the oldest technical university in
Germany, the Technical University Carolo-
Wilhelmina, established in 1745. This impressive educational
facility is supplemented by the University of Applied Sciences
based in Brunswick and the neighbouring town of Wolfenbuettel
and Lower Saxony´s only school of design, the College of Fine
Arts and Design "HBK" as well as a multitude of acclaimed
colleges in the fields of information technology, the sciences,
physics, medicine, chemistry and pharmacy.
87
Wolfsburg
With its origin going back to the industrial colony “Stadt des
KdF-Wagens”, created to house the workers of the Volkswagen
Works established then (1938), and still closely connected with
the well-being of that company, the City of Wolfsburg is a typical
example of planned urban development focusing on economic
impetus. Here, the creation of a cultural identity and the
integration of different cultures combine with an effort to
transform the place into a centre offering state-of-the-art
services and leisure amenities.
88
The historical centres are: Schloss Wolfsburg, (Castle Neuhaus)
and the suburbs Fallersleben and Vorsfelde..
Wolfsburg today is changing from a mere industrial town to a
cultural and commercial centre of the region.
89
Autostadt
This new experience- and competencecenter presents itself forward-looking,
unconventional and innovative. A forum, that allows you to
experience the themes automobile and mobility in a new and
astounding fashion. A world to marvel at, feel good and
participate in.
In the 25 hectare of park and lakes you can embark on a
fascinating journey of discovery in the world of automobiles, get
information on the plans and visions of the Volkswagen Group
and its brands and participate first hand in their latest
developments.
90
Planetarium Wolfsburg
With the aid of cutting edge
technology the Wolfsburg
planetarium portrays lifelike views
of the starry night sky, sun and
moon. A myriad of fibre optics
supplies more than 9000
twinkling, brilliant stars.
Uncounted microprocessors
control special projectors and allow planets to jump through
years and millennia in the blink of an eye. 50 slide- and 2 videoprojectors provide breathtaking insights into cosmic processes.
As a result a visit to the Wolfsburg planetarium's fully climatecontrolled dome with its comfortable swivelling seats becomes
an unforgettable experience.
The VW corporation is the most important employer of
Wolfsburg and South East Lower Saxony. Factories of the VW
corporation are located in Wolfsburg (headquarters),
Braunschweig, Salzgitter, Hannover and Emden.
91
Wolfenbüttel
The gem of the Renaissance
92
The town, which escaped bombing during the war, still looks as
it did during the times of the Dukes: The glory of its past is still
mirrored in more than 600 lavishly restored half-timbered
houses, venerable churches and magnificent buildings like St.
Mary’s.
Wherever you
go, you will
discover
history and
enjoy culture.
History of Wolfenbüttel
First records date back to 1118, when a document referred to
the town as the place of origin of the
Wulferesbutles a distinguished
ministerial family. It is generally assumed
that the first settlement in this area
developed around a fortress built on an
island in the river Oker. In 1255 the
Guelphs succeeded in bringing this
fortress into their possession. From 1283
and with the accession of Duke Henry Mirabilis it was the
preferred residence of a succession of Guelphic dukes.
93
Relatively little is known about Wolfenbüttel ’s history before
1432, when the old water fortress on the marshes of the river
Oker
eventua
lly
became
the official residence of the Guelphs. Its function as a fortified
residence would shape Wolfenbüttel ’s character over the
following centuries up until 1753/54 when the royal household
permanently moved to Braunschweig. As a uniquely unified
architectural ensemble comprising the magnificent castle
district, royal administration buildings court officials ’residences
and residential areas populated by the town ’s tradesmen and
burghers Wolfenbüttel still testifies to its status as Germany’s
first properly planned Renaissance town.
On the 7th of August, 1570 Duke Julius conferred the coat of
arms seal, and market rights to his newly expanded residence.
During the eighteenth
century
Wolfenbüttel ’s moated
fortress
was expanded to form the
Ducal
Palace in its present form.
Rivalled
only by Castle Leine in
Hannover
it is the largest surviving
castle
complex in all of Lower
Saxony.
Numerous refurbishments and modifications have taken place
over the centuries which account for the palace ’s enduring
splendour.
94
Pictures of Wolfenbüttel
Lessing House
The Ducal Palace
Herzog-August-Library
Little Venice
Lange Herzogstraße
Armoury and Magazine
95
Royal »Freiheit
Stadtmarkt
Main Church - St Mary´s
Reichsstraße
Kanzleistraße
Brauergildenstraße
96
Hannover – The capital of Lower Saxony
Hannover,
on the
Leine river,
is the
capital of
the state
of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) in Germany. It is also the capital of
the surrounding Hannover district and region. Population: 515,219
(2001).
The town was founded in medieval times on the bank of the Leine
river. It was a small village of
ferrymen and fishermen, which
became a comparatively large
town
in the 13th century. In the 14th
century a massive city wall with
three
town gates was built to secure
the
city, and the main churches of
Hannover were constructed.
After the war, Hannover became famous for hosting commercial
expositions such as the CeBIT and the Hannover Fair. In 2000,
Hannover hosted the Expo 2000.
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The old town
After the bombing raids of the WW2
there was almost nothing left of
Hannover's old town. Forty old halftimbered buildings remained, twelve
thereof in Knochenhauer-, Kramer- and
Burgstraße. During the rebuilding of
Hannover, parts of the old buildings,
mainly the facades, were transferred
and concentrated in this area.
The Herrenhäuser Gärten
The baroque garden
ensemble, one of the
greatest
and most beautiful in
Germany, was founded in
1666. It is
an ensemble with trees,
hedges,
numerous special and
model
gardens, a great fountain
with
surrounding waterworks,
maze
garden, open air theatre,
many
statues and sculptures,
cascades, a grotto and a palace (destroyed in 1943), gallery
und orangery buildings.
Today it is one of the city's most popular attractions, with its
garden festivals, the baroque fireworks and theatre
performances during the summer months.
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Pictures of Hannover
The new town hall
Masch Park and Lake Maschsee
Waterloo Column
parliament
Nanas
The Marktkirche
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The old town hall
Georgstraße
The Opera House
Kröpke
Hannover Congress Centrum
Hannover Zoo
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Impressum
Diese Broschüre wurde erstellt im Rahmen des
Socrates-Comenius-Projekts:
Curriculum, Cultural Diversity and European citizenship
Curriculum, kulturelle Vielfalt und europäische
Staatsbürgerschaft.
http://www.culturaldiversity.2see.de
This school development project is financed by the EU
Dieses Schulentwicklungsprojekt wird mit Mitteln der EU
finanziert.
Folgende Schulen sind am Projekt und an der Erstellung der Broschüre
beteiligt:
Hauptschule Königslutter
Wilhelm-Bode-Str. 1
D 38154 Königslutter
http://www.hskoenigslutter.2see.de
Gimnazjum Nr 1
Sportowa 1
PL 42-500 Będzin
http://www.gim1bedzin.republika.pl
Scoala cu Clasele I– VIII Nr.8
Nicolae Tonitza Nr. 20
RO 6400 Bârlad
http://www.scoala8.net/
Die nationalen Teile der Broschüre sind auch auf der
Projekthomepage online erhältlich.
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