The Orangery around 1890 (Photo: StadtAE VI.J.315)
Built between 1704 and 1706 under the direction of Gottfried von Gedeler, the Orangery is an indispensable part of the Erlangen Palace Gardens. Although it would be unimaginable today, in 1898 the Royal Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior proposed demolishing the building to make way for the construction of a chemistry institute for the university. However, this sparked widespread protests among the citizens of Erlangen. The city therefore decided to donate a plot of land (Fahrstraße 17) to the state for the construction.
The minutes of the City Council meeting on March 3, 1898, make it clear that the decision to make the donation was “[…] condition that the Orangery building be preserved, in the expectation that no further development of the palace gardens would take place. This resolution is adopted on the premise that the university will continue to cooperate with the city in the future to prevent further development of the palace gardens.”
The Chemistry Institute building on Fahrstraße, which was completed in 1901, was demolished in 1974 as part of entirely new development plans.
See also
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.