23/10/2002:
The charming Saarbrücken
Saarbrücken, capital of the administrative region of Saarland, in
Germany, is a fascinating town and it has a very hospitable people. The Saar
River (after which the town and the region have been named) is what stands out
the most. It crosses the city and provides a beautiful landscape made up of
bridges and gardens on its banks. Rather peaceful and even small for a capital, Saarbrücken preserves the
atmosphere of a country town, despite being the political and commercial centre
in the region. I believe it is a good place to live, since it combines the
convenience of commerce, leisure and education with the tranquillity and safety
of small towns. Although it is not among the most visited cities by foreign tourists,
Saarbrücken has many attractions in store. Among them, there are some
historical buildings that exemplify German architecture and the beautiful
landscape outlined by the Saar River. Since it is located near the border with
France, one can smell this country in the brasseries and bistrots.
The
Bahnhofstraße is the city's major roadway, linking important places such as St.
Johanner Market, the Saar River and the Bürgerpark. It is said to be the oldest
street in Saarbrücken, dating back to the days of the Roman Empire, when the
town stood within the route between Strasbourg and Trier. Nowadays, there are
shops, cafés, art galleries and a pedestrian precinct along this street. After
being rebuilt in 1994, as an area of shopping and leisure, the Bahnhofstraße
has added a new and modern face to its history. If
you want something livelier, the city's meeting point is located at St. Johanner
Market – around the 1760 Fountain , one of the city landmarks, where people
gather to talk, especially in the sunny summer afternoons. At this place,
traditional houses were made into boutiques, bistrots and cafés, some of
them dating back to the 16th century. It really feels like you're on
the border with France. Still
at the pedestrian precinct, I was able to check out other beautiful tourist
spots: the City Hall and St. Johann Church. Featuring both Gothic and
Renaissance styles, the City Hall is so beautiful that I just couldn't stop
staring. After all, the architect Georg Ritter von Hauberrisser, the same who
designed Munich's very beautiful city hall, designed the building in Saarbrücken.
St. Johann's city hall was built between 1897 and 1900, and, along with the
homonymous church and the Post Office building, make up the historical and
symbolic landmark of the town's settlement. Still
on the right bank of the Saar River, the Bürgerpark stands out as well. It was
finished in 1989, and it is located in an area in which coal used to be stored.
The park was designed and built with materials taken from the old harbour. An
important and modern convention centre was also built there. After
crossing one of the bridges over the Saar River, one gets to the other side of
the town. The Parliament building is located on the riverbanks. During my stay,
I seized the time to visit the Parliament and attend a lecture in Spanish on the
German political system. The Parliament has 51 deputies from the SPD (Social
Democratic Party) and CDU (Christian Democratic Union). The current German prime
minister belongs to the SPD. The German political system is decentralised, that
is, each state chooses its governor, its parliament and its ministers. Laws are
autonomous when it comes to public safety and education. The
city's old castle, Saarbrücken Schloss, is located near the Parliament building.
On top of a rock on the banks of the Saar River, the castle was first built in
the year 999. Afterwards, it went through several reforms into different styles,
amid the lively history of Saarbrücken. The building has been a castle, and
administrative centre, and even a Gestapo prison in Nazi Germany. After World
War II, the castle was rebuilt in contemporary style and reopened in April of
1989. Near
the castle, there is another place that should be visited – the Ludwigplatz.
What calls one attention at the square is Ludwig Church, which dates back to the
18th century and is one of the most beautiful Protestant churches in
Germany. The Ludwigplatz reveal the presence of baroque style in the city's
architecture. My visit has come to an end, but it was worth the while.
Saarbrücken is a very agreeable and hospitable city, with its wide streets
paved with stones, many bridges, few high buildings. It is so close to France
that it attracted a little of the neighbours' charm – with no detriment, of
course, to the German efficiency.
Pictures: - Central bridge over the Saar: 1,
2,
3
- View of Saarland's Parliament (external and internal): 1,
2
- The city's coat of arms: 1
- The city's fountain: 1 -
Basilica of São João: 1 - Theatre: 1 - Castle (Saarbrücken Schloss): 1,
2 - Saarkran: 1 - St. Johann's city hall: 1 - St. Johann's Cathedral: 1,
2 - Bürger Park: 1 Translated by Traduzca |
