Francke Foundations

The oldest preserved Indian pipe, an Indian juggernaut box, a tattooed fish and 3,000 other artefacts in the curiosity chamber still testify today to the universal educational interests held at the Francke Foundations schools. The 300-year old school town initiated by the theologian August Hermann Francke (1663-1727) is a unique cultural monument on the recommendation list to become UNESCO world heritage. It takes people back to the living environment of the earls 18th century, which witnessed epochal reforms that were to spread across the world. Places of interest such as the palatial historical orphanage, the longest half timbered house in Europe, the magical chamber of wonders - which is considered to be the oldest remaining civic museum hall - as well as an impressive décor libary allow the full extent of baroque knowledge here to be felt. With outstanding works and multimedia presentations, the large annual exhibition in 2012 focuses on the protestant music culture (...)