TheOld University (German:Alte Universität) is an importantbaroque building of theUniversity of Heidelberg located between theHauptstrasse and theUniversitätsplatz in the old town ofHeidelberg. It contains the Hall of the University, once the main assembly hall and lecture theatre of the University, as well as the Heidelberg University Museum and the old University gaol.
The Old University was built over a period of 23 years between 1712 and 1735, based on plans by the baroque architectJohann Adam Breunig. The structure replaced a four-story college building belonging to the university called the "Casimirianum," which had been erected in 1591 by the CountJohn Casimir.[1] The construction work was part of the rebuilding effort following the destruction of the city of Heidelberg in theWar of the Palatine Succession (1688-1697). The building was at first namedDomus Whilhelmiana, after the donor, ElectorJohann Wilhelm. In 1886, on the occasion of the 500 year anniversary of the founding of the University of Heidelberg, theAlte Aula ("Old assembly hall") in the west wing was remodelled in theRenaissance Revival style. The current name, "Old University" came into use in the early 1930s following the erection of the lecture hall building known asNew University [de] on the opposite side of Universitätsplatz.
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The Hall of the Old University, HeidelbergGerman:Aula der Alten Universität is the central hall of the Old University. It was originally built as an assembly hall and lecture theatre, in the baroque style and decorated with a stucco ceiling. Hierarchically arranged seating for individuals and groups was traditional in university halls and so the front part of the hall, with its characteristic rounded rows of seating and a podium in the centre was reserved for the representatives of the four faculties of the university and the inner Senate.
On the five hundredth jubilee of the University in 1886, the hall was redecorated in the Renaissance Revival style, following a plan byJosef Durm [de]. A gallery in the entrance area and along both sides of the room was installed, which divides the space into two levels.
The rear wall of the hall, behind the speaker's platform, is built on a strictly symmetrical plan in the form of a triumphal arch. It is the focal point of the hall's design. In the centre of the arch is the paintingFounding of the University of Heidelberg by the painterFerdinand Keller (1842-1922). The painting depicts the foundation and history of the University allegorically.Pallas Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and the arts is shown driving a chariot through Heidelberg, led by the victory goddessNike. Behind her, selected individuals from the history of Heidelberg University and intellectual history between the 14th century and the 19th century are depicted. Part ofHeidelberg Castle is visible at the top right. In the centre, a personifications of theNeckar River sits on a throne, with a personification of the city of Heidelberg standing behind him. To the left and right of the painting are two bronze statues of women, personifying fame and wisdom. Fame holds a trombone, while Wisdom wears a wreath and holds up a torch. They are the work ofAdolf Heer [de] (1849-1898). In the lower part of the wall, there are three portraits of rulers: in the centre, a bust of Grand DukeFrederick I, who was rector of the University in 1886, by the sculptor Karl Freiderich Moest; at right, ElectorRupert I, the founder of the University; and, at left, Grand DukeCharles Frederick, who refounded the University at the beginning of the 19th century.
The decoration of the wooden ceiling consists of four round paintings by the painterRudolf Gleichauf [de] (1826-1896), which depict the faculties of the University at the time in an allegorical fashion, as seated female figures with characteristic attributes: a scroll and a globe forphilosophy, a snake and a cup formedicine, a sword of justice, book of law, and a diploma forjurisprudence, and a Bible and tablet with theTen Commandments forTheology.
Along both side walls and the entrance wall of the hall are listed thirty-seven names of famous Heidelberg scholars, divided into two rows - one on the upper frieze and one on plaques in the railings of the gallery. They range fromMarsilius of Inghen, the founding rector of the University in 1386, to 19th century professors like the chemistRobert Bunsen and the physicist and physicianHermann von Helmholtz. On the right balcony is the jubilee banner, which was made for the 500th anniversary of the University's founding. In the centre of the banner is an allegorical personification of wisdom. On the back is a text saying "Donated by women and daughters of the academic teachers, 1886."
An inscription in the upper frieze of the entrance-wall of the hall commemorates the Grand Duke of Baden. A congratulatory tablet from theUniversity of Freiburg from 1886 hangs above the doorway.
The Hall of the Old University, Heidelberg is used today mainly for academic celebrations like the traditional annual festival of the University and the beginning of each winter semester. It is also used as a venue for concerts, readings, presentations, and celebrations, especially awards of cultural prizes. The Old University also hosts the rectorate of the university and the University Museum, which was established in 1996. The museum documents the history of the university.
The Old University incorporates theStudent gaol [de] in a baroque building with its entrance on the Augustinergasse. Students were incarcerated in this structure as punishment until the early twentieth century.
The lion fountain in front of the west facade of the Old University was one of the most important water sources for the citizens of Heidelberg for several centuries.
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