 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
Gustav Eduard Schaubert (Greek:Εδουάρδος Σάουμπερτ,romanized: Edouárdos Sáoumpert; 27 July 1804,Breslau,Prussia – 30 March 1860, Breslau) was aPrussian architect, who made a major contribution to the re-planning ofAthens after theGreek War of Independence.
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(September 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Schaubert studied in Breslau and at theBauakademie in Berlin, where he was a pupil ofKarl Friedrich Schinkel and studied alongsideStamatios Kleanthis. Schaubert and Kleanthis were among the pioneers of nineteenth century urban redevelopment in Greece. After studying in Berlin they began their architectural careers in Athens underIoannis Kapodistrias, producing a highly detailed topographical plan of Athens' ancient ruins, Byzantine churches and the buildings of the old city in 1831. This plan became the foundation of the building of a modern capital for the newKingdom of Greece, expanding it in a triangle to the north of theAcropolis and the Old Town whilst protecting the ancient remains in the northern half of the original city.
This resulted in a neoclassical city with long vistas from the Acropolis and theChurch of Panaghia Kapnikarea. It also took ancient remains in other areas into account and combinedOtto I of Greece'sabsolutism (building him apalace) and hisphilhellenism (reshaping the medieval city and incorporating the classical and Byzantine archaeological sites). Although the plan was modified, such as byLeo von Klenze (1784-1864), architect toLudwig I of Bavaria, its key points were implemented and it later served as a model for other cities, most notablyPiraeus andEretria.
Schaubert and Kleanthes planned Piraeus together, Schaubert produced the plans for Eretria alone, as a planned city for 10,000 inhabitants. This plan sited the city in an opening through to the bay which functioned as a port, and again protected the archaeological sites in the area. Similar to Athens, he planned north-south axes between a town hall, theagora or marketplace, the church and the Acropolis, but also between the naval school and the library, which were situated on an axis with the ancient theatre.
In 1836 Schaubert andChristian Hansen restored theTemple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis, under the direction of the archaeologistLudwig Ross. Ross, Schaubert and Hansen published a book on the excavation and re-erection of the structure, making the temple well known among German art historians.
In 1845/1846 Schaubert led the excavation of the so-called Grave ofCoroebus, on behalf of Ludwig Ross. Ancient sources named Coroebus as the first-ever victor in the Olympics. His probably fictitious victory was supposed to have occurred in 776 BC, at the first ever Olympic Games. Financed byFrederick William IV of Prussia,[1] the excavations were thus the forerunner of theGerman excavations at Olympia.[2]
