Joachim Ludwig Schultheiss von Unfriedt facts for kids

Joachim Ludwig Schultheiss von Unfriedt (sometimes called Schultheiss von Unfried) was a German architect who lived from 1678 to 1753. He was very busy designing buildings in the Baroque style in a city called Königsberg and all over a region known as East Prussia. He also worked as an important government official.

His Early Life and Training

Joachim Ludwig Schultheiss von Unfriedt was likely born in a town called Altruppin in Brandenburg. His father, Joachim Scultetus von Unfried, was an important advisor to Frederick William I, Elector of Brandenburg.

Schultheiss von Unfriedt started studying at the University of Frankfurt (Oder) in 1689. He then traveled to Italy and France to continue his studies. This helped him learn about different building styles and ideas.

Becoming a Royal Architect

In 1702, Schultheiss von Unfriedt became the Royal Prussian Engineer and Building Master in Königsberg. This was a very important job!

One of his first tasks was to move building materials from an old castle in Fischhausen. These materials were used to strengthen the defenses in Pillau. In 1705, he was promoted to Building Director.

Designing Buildings in Königsberg

From 1705 to 1713, Schultheiss von Unfriedt worked on improving Königsberg Castle. He focused on the east wing, which was sometimes called the Friedrichsbau or the Unfriedbau after him.

He also worked on the Schlosskirche, a church connected to the castle. He designed its galleries, the royal viewing area, and the pulpit-altar.

Schultheiss von Unfriedt designed several other important buildings in Königsberg:

• The Royal Orphanage in Sackheim (built 1703–1705)
• Tragheim Church (built 1708–1710)
• The Brauerhaus in Löbenicht

He also helped turn a manor house in Schlobitten into the beautiful Schlobitten Palace for the Dohna family. In 1708, he renovated the church in Kaukehmen.

Working for the King

After King Frederick William I of Prussia was crowned in 1713, Schultheiss von Unfriedt moved to Berlin to become the building director there.

He returned to Königsberg in 1721 as the building director for the Oberland district. The king wanted to rebuild East Prussia after a terrible plague from 1708 to 1711. He asked Schultheiss von Unfriedt to design new towns in the area.

Schultheiss von Unfriedt became the most important architect for the government in East Prussia. He also joined a special government group called the Kriegs- und Domänenkammer in 1723.

Designing New Towns

Schultheiss von Unfriedt designed or changed the layouts of many towns in East Prussia:

• Stallupönen (1722)
• Darkehmen with its large market square (1723)
• The old town of Ragnit (1723)
• The old town (1724), new town (1727), and town hall (1727) of Gumbinnen
• Schirwindt and its market square (around 1725)
• Pillkallen (around 1725)

Around 1730, he might have worked on the family grave of Friedrich von der Groeben at the church of Groß Schwansfeld. From 1731 to 1732, he oversaw the rebuilding of the church in Drygallen. He also designed the Neustädter Reformierte Kirche (New Town Reformed Church) in Gumbinnen, built from 1736 to 1739.

Later Works and Death

In his second time in Königsberg, Schultheiss von Unfriedt designed the Garnisonkirche (garrison church) in the Königsgarten (1731), which was never fully finished. He also designed the French Reformed Church on Königstraße (built 1733–1736).

Joachim Ludwig Schultheiss von Unfriedt died in Königsberg in 1753.

Images for kids

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  East side of Königsberg Castle

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  French Reformed Church on Königstraße, eastern Königsberg

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  Tragheim Church in Tragheim, northern Königsberg

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  Royal Orphanage in Sackheim, eastern Königsberg

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  Goldaper Straße leading to the market in Stallupönen

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  Ruins of the Dohna Palace in modern Słobity, formerly Schlobitten

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  Market square of modern Ozyorsk, formerly Darkehmen