Köln: Gürzenich

Country: Germany (Deutschland)
State: Nordrhein-Westfalen
City: Köln
Location: Martinstraße

Built 1441-1447 as a municipal dance hall and department store. The festival hall located on the upper floor was used for municipal festivites and functions, the ground floor was used as a department store. In the 17th century, the whole building was only used as a department store. From ca. 1820 revival of the building as a festival and concert venue. Since then also used for carnival balls. From 1857 to 1986 home to the Gürzenich-Orchester. Extensions in the 19th century. Ground floor used by the local Stock Exchange. Destroyed in 1943, with only the exterior walls remaining. 1952-1955 rebuilt by Rudolf Schwarz in modern style within the existing walls, incorporating the neighbouring church ruin St. Alban. 1996-1997 renovations and modernization, conversion into a congress centre. Currently mainly used for congresses, exhibitions, concerts, and carnival balls. The building includes two halls: Großer Saal (1101 seats) and Isabellensaal (234 seats).

Notable world premieres:

  • Johannes Brahms: Concert for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra (18 Oct 1887)
  • Richard Strauss: Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche (5 Nov 1895)
  • Richard Strauss: Don Quixote (8 Mar 1898)
  • Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (18 Oct 1904)

Links: www.koelnkongress.de, Wikipedia

Koeln: Guerzenich Front Text: "Köln a. Rh. - Gürzenich - Saal"
Publisher: Kunstanstalt Louis Glaser; Nr. 8361
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Koeln: Guerzenich Front Text: "Köln - Gürzenich"
Handwritten Reverse Text: dated Oct 1911
Publisher: Ed. Becker, Köln; 08 55917
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Koeln: Guerzenich Reverse Text: "Köln - Gürzenich, Großer Saal"
Publisher: E. Coubillier, Köln; Kölner Görres-Haus G.m.b.H.
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Koeln: Guerzenich Reverse Text: "Köln am Rhein - Gürzenich, Festsaal mit Gürzenich-Orchester"
Publisher: Sühwold-Verlag, Köln; Nr. 59
Type: Real Photo
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Permanent link: https://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/id/1943

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