Inhaltsbereich

The Modern Route 8

Varied and special – this is what characterises the sites for modern building in Halle (Saale). In the 1920s the city developed into a modern and aspiring industrial location in central Germany; the chemical industry, aircraft construction, mining areas in the surrounding region, salt extraction and the industrialisation of agriculture were all important factors. 
Today, the architecture of housing estates, administration and transport buildings, churches, and schools bear plentiful testimony to the age of modernity in our city. You can take an interesting journey through time and travel through an exciting era with the “Modern Route 8”.

The stops:
Trotha

Cogeneration plant Halle-Trotha view of the exterior, photo: Falk Wenzel
Cogeneration plant Halle-Trotha view of the interior, photo: Falk Wenzel

The Halle-Trotha cogeneration plant

In 1924 a power station was built in Halle-Trotha on the banks of the Saale River. The building bears witness to a type of industrial architecture that was committed to the aesthetic canon of the “New Objectivity”.

Contact

Address: Brachwitzer Straße 21, 06118 Halle (Saale)
www.evh.de/privatkunden/unternehmen/energiepark/trotha

Emil-Eichhorn-Straße

The Wittekind brine baths

The new building constructed between 1923 and 1925 on the basis of plans by Wilhelm Jost (*1874; †1944) included Friedrich Nietzsche (*1844; †1900) as prominent guest. The sculptural decorations of the interior and the exterior were the work of professors and graduates of the city’s former Commercial Draughtsman and Artisan’s School Burg Giebichenstein.

Contact

Address: Wittekindstraße 15, 06114 Halle (Saale)

Giebichenstein Castle

Giebichenstein Castle

In 1921 a school of arts and crafts (Kunstgewerbeschule) was established in the lower part of the castle. It was closely associated with the neighbouring Bauhaus. Today the castle still accommodates the renowned art school. Regular exhibitions are held here.

Contact

Address: Neuwerk 7, 06108 Halle (Saale)
www.burg-halle.de

Giebichenstein Bridge

Giebichenstein Bridge, which is 261 metres long, was built between 1926 and 1928. At the right and the left of its base the bridge boasts two monumental animal sculptures – a horse and a cow. They serve as “ice breakers” and symbolise the connection between the rural Kröllwitz and the urban Giebichenstein.

Contact

Address: Kröllwitzer Straße, 06120 Halle (Saale)

Hermannstraße

The Paul Krause office building, photo: HAVAG

The Paul Krause office building

Richard Schmieder (*1891; †1980) – a well-known architect in the city on the Saale – bequeathed some architectural highlights to the city, such as the façade of the Paul Krause office building in the expressionist style, only some of which is still recognisable today.

Contact

Address: Geiststraße 39, 06108 Halle (Saale)

Moritzburgring

The Uniring transformer station, photo: Falk Wenzel

The Uniring transformer station

The transformer station was built in 1928/29 under the direction of city councillor Wilhelm Jost (*1874; †1944). It is still considered a work of art to this very day and has served as a speaker’s platform, a kiosk, a petrol station as well as a dwelling, a workshop and a public convenience. Today it accommodates a snack bar which is especially popular among Halle’s revellers.

Contact

Address: Universitätsring 11, 06108 Halle (Saale)

Marktplatz

Kaufhaus Lewin, photo: HAVAG

Ratshof

The Halle Ratshof was constructed in the rear courtyard of the city hall in 1928/1929 under the direction of the architect Wilhelm Jost, who was also the director of municipal planning. It is situated at the eastern edge of the Market Square and is the head office of the city council.

Contact

Address: Marktplatz 10, 06108 Halle (Saale)
www.halle.de

Kaufhaus Lewin

The well-known department store “Kaufhaus J. Lewin” was built in 1929 at the address “Markt 3–7” and combines elements of Neues Bauen (new building), Neoclassicism and Art Deco. It was designed by local architect Bruno Föhre (*1883; †1937). Today, in addition to a textile goods store, the building also accommodates a language school, offices, apartments and a bookstore on several floors.

Contact

Address: Marktplatz 30, 06108 Halle (Saale)

Rannischer Platz

Großgarage Süd, photo: Matthias Kunkel
The Johannesviertel, photo: HAVAG

Großgarage Süd

Großgarage Süd, which was built between 1927 and 1929, is one of the last remaining multi-storey car parks with a car lift and three transfer tables. It was built by building contractor and engineer Walter Tutenberg (*1886; † unknown).

Contact

Address: Pfännerhöhe 29, 06110 Halle (Saale)

The Johannesviertel (Johannes district)

The Johannesviertel developed in three stages between 1910 and 1929. In terms of design and structural density it differs considerably from the typical buildings of the late nineteenth century (Gründerzeit) in the south of the city centre. The responsible architect was Herrmann Frede (*1883; †1965).

Contact

Address: Johannesplatz, 06110 Halle (Saale)

Kantstraße

The Water Tower South, photo: Falk Wenzel
The Turmstraße transformer station, photo: Falk Wenzel

The Water Tower (South)

This tower is an example of the functional and expressive brick architecture of the 1920s. Reaching a height of 45 metres, it places a distinctive stamp on the entire district. The responsible architects were Wilhelm Jost and Oskar Muy.

Contact

Address: Lutherplatz 29, 06110 Halle (Saale)

The Turmstraße transformer station

The transformer station was built in 1928 at roughly the same time as the Water Tower South. It accommodates two stairwells with solid metalworking. The architect, Wilhelm Jost, continued to develop further functions for his buildings, so that the eastern side of the building was equipped with storage rooms for street cleaning and public works administration. It now houses the counter workshop of Wasser und Haustechnik GmbH. In 2012 the Historical Technical Centre of Stadtwerke Halle, the city’s public utility company, inaugurated a permanent exhibition at the transformer station.

Contact

Address: Süd-Seite des Lutherplatzes, 06110 Halle
www.swh.de/stadtwerke/verantwortung/gesellschaft/stadtentwicklung/htz

Robert-Koch-Straße

Church of the Most Holy Trinity – view of the interior, photo: Matthias Kunkel

Church of the Most Holy Trinity (Kirche zur Heiligsten Dreieinigkeit)

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity (Kirche zur Heiligsten Dreieinigkeit) was built as one of the few architectural sacred buildings in the period of experimental church construction following the First World War. The hexagonal floor plan, alternating between short and long outer walls, has the appearance of a triangle, a reference to the holy trinity that gives the church its name.

Contact

Address: Lauchstädter Straße 14, 06110 Halle (Saale)
www.franziskus-halle.de/kirchen

Vogelweide

The Vogelweide housing estate, photos: HAVAG
The Luther Church, photos: HAVAG

The Vogelweide housing estate

Between 1930 and 1932 13 apartment blocks arranged in rows were constructed in the Vogelweide housing estate by architect Heinrich Faller (*1895; †1945). The buildings, which are in the Bauhaus style, are mainly characterised by small apartments with a tripartite floor plan.

Contact

Address: Vogelweide, 06110 Halle (Saale)

Luther Church

The Luther Church was constructed in the “New Objectivity” style on the basis of plans by Rudolf Ostermaier. The foundation stone was laid on 10 November 1928, the birthday of Martin Luther.

Contact

Address: Damaschkestraße 100 a, 06110 Halle (Saale)
www.luthergemeinde-halle.de

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The modern route 8

Information about sights along the modern route 8 

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