Friedrich von Gärtner facts for kids

Friedrich von Gärtner

The Wittelsbacher Palace

Befreiungshalle

The Hellenic Parliament in Athens

Arcades in Bad Kissingen

Friedrich von Gärtner (born December 10, 1791, in Koblenz – died April 21, 1847, in Munich) was an important German architect. He designed many famous buildings in Germany and Greece.

Friedrich von Gärtner: A Life in Architecture

Friedrich von Gärtner's father was also an architect. In 1804, his family moved to Munich, where young Friedrich began learning about architecture. To learn even more, he traveled to Paris in 1812. There, he studied with a famous architect named Percier.

In 1814, Friedrich went to Italy. He spent four years studying ancient buildings and ruins very carefully. He even published a book in 1819 with drawings and descriptions of old monuments in Sicily.

After visiting England, Gärtner returned home. In 1820, he became a professor of architecture at the Academy of Munich. This was when he really started working on building projects. In 1822, he also became the artistic director for the Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory.

Later, Friedrich von Gärtner became the main government expert for buildings. From 1842, he was even the director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He is buried in the Alter Südfriedhof cemetery in Munich. His son, Friedrich Gärtner, also became a well-known painter of buildings.

Gärtner's Architectural Style and Famous Works

Friedrich von Gärtner and Leo von Klenze were the most famous architects in Bavaria during the time of King Ludwig I. Gärtner often designed buildings in the Romanesque style, which King Ludwig I really liked.

One of Gärtner's most famous buildings is the Ludwigskirche (Ludwig's Church) in Ludwigstrasse, Munich. This church had a big impact on how other churches were built, especially in North America.

Key Buildings Designed by Gärtner

Friedrich von Gärtner designed many important structures. Here are some of his main projects:

• In Munich:
  • The Feldherrnhalle, a monument honoring Bavarian army leaders.
  • The Siegestor (Victory Gate), a grand arch.
  • The main building for the University of Munich.
  • The Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library).
  • The Wittelsbacher Palais, a palace that was later destroyed.

• Outside Munich:
  • The Pompejanum in Aschaffenburg, a replica of a Roman house from Pompeii.
  • The Kursaal and Arcades in Bad Kissingen, a spa town.
  • He started the Befreiungshalle (Hall of Liberation) in Kelheim. This monument was later redesigned and finished by architect Leo von Klenze.
  • The Old Royal Palace in Athens, Greece. This building is now used as the Hellenic Parliament, where the Greek government meets.

See also

In Spanish: Friedrich von Gärtner para niños