Question: Ever wondered why this hall is named after a sailor who never set foot here? This is the Gorch-Fock-Halle. It stands as a tribute to the famous local writer Hans Kienau. He was better known by his pen name Gorch Fock.
Before the Gorch-Fock-Halle, Finkenwerder lacked sports facilities despite having three schools. The Higher School Authority requested a gym. A committee had been collecting funds for two years to honor Gorch Fock.
Fritz Schumacher designed the Gorch-Fock-Halle. His initial 1927 design featured a long central building with short side extensions. A key difference was a high, slightly curved pitched roof. Schumacher submitted a flat-roofed hall design with side extensions for approval.
The Gorch-Fock-Halle includes a stage with a gallery. It could be used for theater performances. It also featured a library, kitchen, caretaker’s apartment and a public bath. The hall’s name stands in large letters above the open columned entrance. This honors the poet.
Richard Kuöhl created a ceramic sculpture of a sailor above the main entrance. Upon his brother Rudolf Kienau’s suggestion, they added a dedication and a verse by Gorch Fock.
In 1930, Eduard Bargheer painted murals. They were placed on each side of the stage in the Gorch-Fock-Halle’s interior. These murals depicted sailing and music-making youths.
Today, the Gorch-Fock-Halle remains a significant landmark. It reminds us of Finkenwerder’s cultural heritage. It serves as a community space for sports and events. The Gorch-Fock-Halle stands as a monument to both physical and artistic pursuits. It honors a local literary hero.