Ever wondered where Cologne’s largest inner-city Gymnasium stands? Here, at Kartäuserwall 40, stands the Humboldt-Gymnasium. It is named after Alexander von Humboldt, the famous German naturalist.
This school’s story began in 1833. Back then, it was the Provincial Gewerbeschule. It was housed in the Karmelitenkloster at the Kölner Waidmarkt. Thirty children were taught in two classes. Gewerbeschulen were a new type of school. The Prussian government allowed cities to build them. Unlike Latin schools, they taught science, technical drawing, and modern languages.
In 1869, the school moved to a new building on Humboldtstraße. By 1882, it became an Oberrealschule. This meant it could offer the Abitur, the highest school-leaving certificate. In 1933, the Oberrealschule Humboldtstraße 41 became the Humboldt-Gymnasium.
The school suffered greatly during World War II. Its building was destroyed in 1943. Students scattered to other schools, such as the Irmgardis-Gymnasium and the Gymnasium Nippes. In 1958, the school reopened at its current location. It focused on mathematics and science. That’s when it officially became the Humboldt-Gymnasium, named after Alexander von Humboldt.
During the Nazi era, the school faced dark times. From 1931 to 1945, Johannes Halfmann led the school. Like all schools at the time, the Humboldt-Gymnasium was meant to promote Nazi ideology. In 1933, Halfmann ordered teachers to instill the “Führerprinzip” in students.
School days began with flag ceremonies. Students had to say “Heil Hitler” before and after each lesson. New subjects like “racial studies” were introduced. Jewish students faced increasing discrimination. By 1938, all Jewish students had been expelled.
After the war, the Humboldt-Gymnasium rebuilt itself. In 1966, it began focusing on music. This was thanks to a partnership with the Rheinische Musikschule. Hugo Wolfram Schmidt, director of the music school, was a key figure. The state government recognized the school’s special status in 1969.
Today, the Humboldt-Gymnasium is a Musikprofilschule. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports its music program. The school has excellent facilities. These include a swimming pool, sports field, and art studio. It also has band rehearsal rooms and school gardens. Some of the buildings are even protected as historical landmarks.
The Humboldt-Gymnasium has produced many notable alumni. These include Nobel Prize winner Carl Bosch, writer Heinz G. Konsalik, and athletes like Martin Lauer. The school’s Big Band, the Süd Beat Big Band, won the WDR Jazz Prize in 2021. The Humboldt-Gymnasium continues to be a place of learning and growth. It fosters talent in many fields. It is a school with a long and fascinating history.