Welcome to Osnabrück – City of Peace Welcome
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DIE | FRIEDENSSTADT Welcome to Osnabrück – City of Peace Welcome ቢ Osnabrück – peaceful and cosmopolitan Osnabrück’s political and Nowadays, people still come n cultural life believes in the together where merchants used to maxim: “The task of peace – meet in the old days: The “Markt” committed to peace”. After 5 years remains the heart of the city and of negotiations the ”Peace of hosts weddings, festivals, wine Westphalia” that ended the Thirty stands and Christmas markets. Its Years’ War was proclaimed on the picturesque flair is formed by the steps of the Town Hall in 1648. Town Hall of the Peace of West- Since more than 60 years local phalia, the “Stadtwaage”, the children commemorate this event St Mary’s Church, the late Ro- every year with a hobby horse manesque St Peter’s Cathedral and parade. the high gables of the old mer- ቤ chant houses. From 1412-1669, Osnabrück was a member of the “Hanse” (Hanseatic League), the most im- portant trading alliance of its time that brought great stature and wealth to its member cities. These days, the old trade routes turned into pleasant streets with attractive shops. This mixture of historic quarters and modern architecture is the hallmark of Osnabrück whose status as a university city (around 20,000 ባ students) completes its long histo- ቢ Felix Nussbaum Museum ry of Episcopal power. The young, ባ Market Square with Town Hall top flight university, the technical and St Mary’s Church college with its popular interna- ቤ Shopping street “Große Straße” tional study programs and the ብ Door handle of the Town Hall German Federal Environment Foundation (DBU), located in Os- nabrück, are all important factors for the creation of an innovative climate. Osnabrück is popular for being compact. Whether for sightseeing, shopping, strolling or studying – a good layout and short distances are a plus for all guests. Today Osnabrück (163,000 inhab- itants) is the third largest city in Lower Saxony and the only German city situated in a nature reserve. With 1,220 square kilometers the ብ UNESCO Geo Park TERRA.vita is wide open for cycling or hiking tours or for improving your handi- cap on one of the many golf cours- es around Osnabrück. Embedded between the Teutoburg Forest and Osnabrück is a member of the the “Wiehengebirge”, the green network Historic Highlights of traces of this nature reserve stretch Germany (www.historicgermany.com) right into the inner city of Os- and spans the gap between past and present. nabrück. History ቢ 1,200 years of eventful history Around 780, Charlemagne, Osnabrück developed into a n king of the Franks, erected thriving center for commerce in a stone church on the banks of the the Middle Ages. In 1157, Emperor Hase River the nucleus of today’s Frederick Barbarossa granted the Osnabrück. The city’s name is city its fortification privileges. presumably a combination of the Most of the towers that were part Low German words “Ossen” (ox) of the medieval fortification are and “Brügge” (bridge). still visible in the city. From 1412- Some time before 803, the city 1669, Osnabrück was a member became seat of the Prince-Bish- of the “Hanse” (Hanseatic League) opric of Osnabrück which likely as well as a member of the West- makes the city the oldest bishopric phalian Federation of Cities. in Saxony. As a hub of old trading Magnificent town houses and routes and as the seat of a bishop, 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. While the Catholics used Müns - ter as a venue, the Protestants resided in Osnabrück. As a result of ቤ this time Osnabrück was alternate- ባ ly ruled by Catholic and Protestant bishops until 1803. Osnabrück became widely known amongst literature lovers through the works of one of its own sons, Erich Maria Remarque (1898- 1970). The Erich-Maria Remarque Peace Center dedicates an exhibi- tion to his life and literary work. Another of the city’s natives is Felix Nussbaum. The artist was ቦ ቢ born in 1904 in Osnabrück and St Peter’s Cathedral ባ died in 1944 in Auschwitz. Hobby horse parade ቤVault house in the Old Town ብ Replica of the Treaty of Westphalia ቦ Felix Nussbaum “self-portrait with easel” ብ The renowned architect Daniel Libeskind designed the Felix Nuss- CITY baum Museum as a special place TIP for Nussbaum’s artistic work. The Guided city tour with architecture of the building is in- the night watchman – with tended as ”rooms against oblivion” a beautiful view from the spire of St Mary‘s Church and captivates visitors by its un- (3 h duration) usual interior design. Culture ቢ Sightseeing in the midst of Osnabrück Town Hall of the militia’s necklace. Also to be Peace of Westphalia seen on the upper floor is nFinished in 1512, the Town Hall a model which shows Osnabrück in late-gothic style took more in 1633. than 25 years to build. Just like in neighboring Münster, the Peace of Old Town Westphalia was negotiated here, nThe Market Square and the sur- ending the Thirty Years’ War rounding old town is definitely (1618-1648). Inside the hall, worth a visit with its half timbered 42 portraits show the envoys of houses and vault houses from the the peace congress as well as the middle ages. Next to the historical rulers of that time. The most square you will find the “Bürger- valuable pieces in the treasure brunnen” (fountain) illustrating chamber include the Emperor’s important events in Osnabrück’s Cup, the replica of the Treaty history. of Westphalia, and the Osnabrück St Peter’s Cathedral nSince its foundation by Charle- CITY magne, the “Dom St. Peter” TIP (St Peter’s Cathedral) has been the religious center of the bishopric Osnabrück for more than 1225 The City card is a ticket for all buses years. The current architectural within the city, including free admis- style dates back to the late sion to six museums in Osnabrück Romanesque period in the 13th plus a voucher booklet for other century. Exhibits that cover a interesting cultural activities. period of more than one thousand www.osnabrueck.de/73579.asp years are preserved in the cathe- ባ dral. The bronze font (1225), which ቢTown Hall of the Peace of Westphalia has been used for christenings for ባ Half timbered houses in the Old Town almost eight centuries, the Ro- ቤ Erich Maria Remarque manesque triumphant cross and the tranquil cloister are especially worth mentioning. Felix Nussbaum Museum nThe museum, designed by the New York architect Daniel Libes- kind, is home to the internationally renowned Felix Nussbaum collec- tion. Like no other painter, his Further museums impressive works record the nMuseum of Cultural History stations of his life, from the nDiocesan Museum contains “happy childhood” in a Jewish liturgical instruments, relics and merchant family, via initial artistic precious jewels from 1,200 years success in Berlin, to the despair of ago a persecuted Jew living in Belgian nArt Gallery Dominican Church exile. The creative tension presenting contemporary art between architecture and painting nMuseum of Industrial Culture encourages us never to forget the shows the history of the Holocaust in Europe. industrialization in Osnabrück ቤ nErich Maria Remarque Peace Center offers insights into the life, works and global impact of Erich Maria Remarque nSchölerberg Museum for Nature and Environment / Planetarium conveys the ecological connections of the regional environment Lifestyle ቢ Culinary highlights ቤ Osnabrück is a haven for n all gourmets. This is not only because Thomas Bühner of the restaurant “la vie” was award- ed with his third Michelin star. Those who like it more rustic will enjoy one of the breweries, and the confectionery “Leysieffer” has been the first address for sweet The strict testers certify Thomas treats for more than 100 years. Bühner’s ”perfectly arranged Speaking of tradition: The restau- creations which satisfy highest rant Walhalla is Osnabrück’s oldest standards of enjoyment.” inn. You will find culinary delights Another refined address in the of every kind and for every taste in city is the restaurant “Vila Real” at Osnabrück. “Steigenberger Hotel Remarque”. The restaurant “la vie” – in the Maitre d’ Andreas Klatt runs the heart of Osnabrück’s Old Town – small, very stylishly furnished boasts three Michelin stars as well restaurant that has been awarded as 19 Gault Millau points. several prizes. Thomas Bühner and Thayarni Those who prefer plainer cooking Kanagaratnam have been running will relish the fresh local ingredi- the restaurant since 2006. ents which make a typical Os- nabrück meal. In spring, there is “Spargel” (asparagus) in every con- TIP ceivable variety, in winter there is “Grünkohl”, served up with “Kas- Where everyone meets seler” or “Grützwurst”. Both are everyone: The Saturday Farmers popular specialties from the re- Market next to the cathedral. gional cuisine. ባ Shopping with flair nStores and boutiques at the “Neumarkt”, modern shopping ar- cades on “Große Straße“ and “Krahnstraße“, exquisite small shops in the Heger Tor quarter: The mixture of Old Town and modern shopping streets next door makes Osnabrück attractive for city ቢ Pubs in the Old Town ብ strolling. Cafés, bistros and pubs ባ Shopping arcade on “Große Straße” are nearby and always good for a ቤ Gourmet food at “la vie” little break. ብ Carousel in front of St Peter’s Cathedral Events during “Maiwoche” nMay Week Festival Northern Ger- sicians and music enthusiasts from many’s unique inner city festival.