Hidden amidst the charming, timber-framed houses of Alt-Niederursel stands the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche. This striking octagonal structure, crowned with a shimmering copper roof, presents a stark contrast to its traditional surroundings. The Gustav-Adolf-Kirche is a testament to the “Neues Bauen” movement, also known as New Building, that flourished in Frankfurt in the 1920s. The Gustav-Adolf-Kirche replaced the smaller, medieval St. Georgskirche. By 1925, St. Georgskirche was deemed too small for the growing Protestant community of Niederursel. The renowned architect Martin Elsaesser, known for his work on Frankfurt’s Großmarkthalle, designed the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche. He collaborated with Gerhard Planck, completing the project in a remarkable one-year timeframe. Consecrated in 1928, the Gustav-Adolf-Kirche showcases a unique blend of modern and historical elements. The church’s octagonal design, inspired by early Christian architecture and Wiesbaden’s Ringkirche, creates a centralized space. However, the placement of the altar and seating maintains a traditional directional focus. The church incorporates salvaged pieces from its predecessor, including 17th-century inscription bands in the baptistery and gravestones embedded in the exterior walls. The Gustav-Adolf-Kirche’s interior, once painted over in uniform colors, has been meticulously restored to its original vibrant hues of red, blue, and white, based on historical photographs. The original simpler windows, designed by Elsaesser himself, have been reinstated, replacing the colorful 1957 versions. Elsaesser aimed to create a sense of “holy sobriety” within his modern design. Below the main sanctuary, cleverly concealed from external view, lie the community rooms. The separate, 30-meter-high bell tower features a platform for trombone players and shares a similar banded window design with the main church. The Gustav-Adolf-Kirche, though seemingly simple from the outside, holds within its walls a captivating story of architectural innovation and community history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to