Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Neues Rathaus

Even before Leipzig was first mentioned in a document in 1015, a Slavic settlement existed here. The city was founded in 1165 when Margrave Otto the Rich of Meissen granted city and market rights to the city at the intersection of the Via Regia and the Via Imperii. Leipzig was in the Margraviate of Meissen, which became part of the Electorate of Saxony in 1439. Leipzig then belonged to the Duchy of Saxony, whose capital was chosen to be Dresden, which had been insignificant compared to Leipzig or Meissen. Leipzig was often the place where the state parliament met, but Leipzig was never a residence city or a bishop's seat and has always been shaped by the urban bourgeoisie. The University of Leipzig was founded in 1409 as "Alma Mater Lipsiensis" and was thus one of the three oldest universities in Germany. After being elevated to the status of "Reichsmessestadt" (imperial trade fair city) in 1497 and an extension of the staple right by the future Emperor Maximilian I, Leipzig became a trade fair city of European standing. It developed into the most important German trading center for the exchange of goods between Eastern and Western Europe. Alongside London, the Leipziger Brühl became the international trade center for the fur industry, and the important role played by the Leipzig Jewish community was closely linked to it. In 1539, the Reformation was finally introduced in Leipzig by Luther and Justus Jonas. Over decades, the development of Leipzig was characterized above all by the constantly improving living conditions. As a trading and trade fair city of increasing importance, Leipzig benefited from the wealthy Leipzig merchant class. The Thirty Years' War was a severe cut in the prosperous development of the city. Between 1631 and 1642 the city was besieged five times, from 1642 to 1650 it was occupied by the Swedes. The "Völkerschlacht" (Battle of Leipzig) near Leipzig took place in 1813. In this battle, the allied armies of Austria, Prussia, Russia and Sweden defeated Napoleon's troops and their allies which ultimately led to Napoleon's banishment to the island of Elba. During WWII there were frequent air raids on the city, which led to considerable destruction of the city center. In 1989, the Monday demonstrations that started at the Nikolaikirche helped herald the end of the GDR. With the occupation of the district administration for state security by demonstrators on December 4, 1989, state surveillance measures ended in Leipzig. Neues Rathaus At the end of the 19th century, the Altes Rathaus (old town hall) became too small for the growing importance of Leipzig, which had become a big city. In 1895 the city acquired the Pleissenburg (Pleissenburg Castle) from the Kingdom of Saxony. The foundation stone for the Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) was laid in 1899. After six years of construction, the New Town Hall was opened in 1905 - in the presence of the Saxon King Friedrich August III. The building complex, designed in the style of historicism, offers an area of over 10,000 m². The tower stands on the base of the old Pleissenburg tower. The destruction caused by the air raids on Leipzig in WWII was eliminated by 1949.

With more than 500.000 inhabitants Hannover is the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Hannover was founded in medieval times on the east bank of the River Leine. It was a small village of ferrymen and fishermen. It became a comparatively large town in the 13th century, receiving town privileges in 1241, owing to its position at a natural crossroads. It was connected to the Hanseatic League city of Bremen by the Leine and was situated north-west of the Harz mountains so that east-west traffic passed through it. In the 14th century the main churches of Hanover were built, as well as a city wall with three city gates. Between 1714 and 1837 three kings of Great Britain were concurrently also Electoral Princes of Hanover. As an important railway and road junction and production centre, Hannover was a major target for strategic bombing during World War II. More than 90% of the city centre was destroyed in a total of 88 bombing raids. So today Hannover lacks it´s medieval heart. Only a few buildings - like this one- got rebuilt and restored. - One of them is the "Neues Rathaus" ("New Town Hall"). It was originally opened in 1913, after having been under construction for 12 years. It is a castle-like building at the southern edge of the inner city. The town hall, with a height of 97.73 metres, a length of about 129 metres and a width of around 67 metres, was built on 6026 beech piles.