On the History of the Architecture and Memorials of Collegiate Building I
History of the Architecture and Memorials of Collegiate Building I
The Collegiate Building I contains historical memorials and inscriptions that reflect the university’s history and demonstrate how it has dealt with its past at various points in time. The building is therefore both an architectural monument and a site of historical significance. These traces serve as a reminder of the university’s turbulent past, both as a commemoration and a warning.
The construction of the building
Due to a sharp increase in enrolment in the late nineteenth century, the University of Freiburg needed new buildings. The first of these was the new university library, today’s Collegiate Building IV, which was built in 1903 on the site of the former Rempart Barracks at the edge of the old town.
Next came the university’s new main building, known today as Collegiate Building I, the foundation stone of which was laid in 1906 under Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden. The building was designed by the architect Friedrich Ratzel in the historicist style. Following Ratzel’s death in 1907, Hermann Billing continued construction based on the original design in the contemporary Jugendstil style The building was officially opened on 28 October 1911 in the presence of Frederick II, Grand Duke of Baden, who had succeeded his father (see Fig. 1).
These events are documented by the inscription above the main portal: AEDEM A PATRE STUDIIS DEDICATAM EREXIT FRIDERICUS II. (The building, dedicated to studies by the father [Frederick I], was built by Frederick II).
The guiding principle of science, the intellectual giants of antiquity and a metaphorical reference to humanity
The motto DIE WAHRHEIT WIRD EUCH FREI MACHEN (The truth shall set you free) was engraved in the middle of the west facade of Collegiate Building I. This inscription was chosen by the historian Alfred Dove and the building committee, and approved unanimously by the Senate in 1909. Although the well-known Bible verse from the Gospel of John (John 8:32b) hints at the religious dimension of the concept of truth, the motto’s scope is deliberately broadened to suggest a contemporary interpretation. Based on classical antiquity and German idealism, truth and freedom were considered guiding principles of science, meaning that the truth produced by the modern science would liberate humanity. These principles were originally illustrated by the statues Truth and Freedom by Wilhelm Gerstel, which were erected on either side of the inscription. Both statues were lost during World War II.
Two bronze statues by Cipri Adolf Bergmann were erected at the main entrance to the university building in 1921: Homer and Aristotle (cast in 1915). By doing so, the university emphasised its shift towards secular sciences. The statues were intended to symbolise the university’s lineage dating back to pre-Christian antiquity. The university therefore established a connection between the furnishings created in 1912 for the interior of Collegiate Building I and ancient mythology. The monumental fresco above the entrance to the assembly hall depicts Prometheus. Hans Adolph Bühler’s work Prometheus bringt den Menschen das Feuer (Prometheus brings the fire to the people)can be understood as a representation of the liberation of humanity through scientific and technical knowledge.
For a detailed account of the inscription, see Gerhard Kaiser: Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen: Die Freiburger Universitätsdevise – ein Glaubenswort als Provokation der Wissenschaft, in Ludwig Wenzler (Ed.): Welche Wahrheit braucht der Mensch? Wahrheit des Wissens, des Handelns, des Glaubens. Freiburg i. Br.: Katholische Akademie, 2003 (Tagungsberichte der Katholischen Akademie der Erzdiözese Freiburg), pp. 47–103, available online.
Propagandistic remodelling during National Socialism
The roof truss of the Collegiate Building, which was the main university building at the time, was destroyed by a fire on 10 July 1934. The university leadership seized the opportunity presented by the repairs to add a storey to the building and remodel it in a National Socialist style. An imperial eagle bearing a swastika was placed in the southwest corner, above the relief depicting the university’s patron saint, St Jerome, who represented the university in the Middle Ages.
In 1936, a propagandistic inscription was added to the building’s new storey at the behest of the Minister of Culture. Leading members of the university had previously suggested the wording. The new National Socialist dedication read Dem ewigen Deutschtum (To eternal Germandom). It was engraved in gold-painted Fraktur lettering, which was clearly visible above the main entrance and the bronze statues of Homer and Aristotle. To the left of this dedication was an inscription engraved as a commentary: nach dem Brande 1934 / aufgestockt 1935–36 (after the fire in 1934 / storey added in 1935–36). This was intended to emphasise the support of the National Socialist regime for the university and science (see Fig. 2).
Removal of National Socialist symbols and design elements after 1945
The inscription repeatedly prompted questions from university members and the general public because its function as a memorial was not recognised. In recent decades, there have been several discussions as to whether the inscription should be removed altogether, but it has repeatedly been decided that it should remain. The university made this decision intentionally: the inscription serves as a cautionary reminder of the university’s and science’s voluntary commitment and utilisation under National Socialism.
Hinsichtlich der Inschrift kamen bei Universitätsmitgliedern wie auch in der Öffentlichkeit immer wieder Fragen auf, da sie nicht in ihrer Funktion als Mahnmal erkannt wurde. Es ist in den letzten Jahrzehnten mehrfach diskutiert worden, ob die Inschrift nicht doch ganz entfernt werden sollte und man hat sich wiederholt für deren Beibehaltung entschieden. Diese Entscheidung traf die Universität bewusst: Die Inschrift soll als mahnende Erinnerung an den freiwilligen Einsatz und die Indienstnahme von Universität und Wissenschaft im Nationalsozialismus dienen.
Memorials to the fallen of the world wars
The former main university building contains a large number of contemporary memorials relating to national history. Inside, there is a historical portrait bust of the former Imperial Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. The university commemorates its members who fell in the First World War with a plaque bearing their names, and remembers The victims of the Second World War and of tyranny with an inscription.
After World War I, a high pillar was erected below the relief of Jerome on the south-west corner of the building. On top of the pillar, a sculpture of The Mourning Alma Mater was placed in memory of those who died in the war (Fig. 5). Created by Arno Rickert in 1928, the sculpture received an inscription commemorating the victims of both world wars after 1945. The bullet holes that are still visible on the exterior of Collegiate Building I also serve as a reminder of the wars. The university deliberately refrefrains from repairing them to preserve the memory of the destruction and loss of life caused by the First and Second World Wars.
A memorial to university members who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi era
The entrance hall of the Collegiate Building I has housed an impressively designed memorial by the artist Marcel Odenbach since 2005 (Fig. 6): Along the entire length of the south wall, the university honours the memory of its members who were persecuted and murdered during the Nazi era.