Cathedral City - Member of the Hanseatic League - City of Peace
Tradition is very much alive in our friendly city. It has been known as the “City of Peace” since 1648, because the Westphalian Peace Treaty which ended the Thirty-Years War was negotiated and signed here. Despite the destruction incurred during the Second World War, the city still boasts a host of historical buildings. Representative buildings from each period of Osnabrücks long history can be seen throughout the city. These range from the 17th century palace of Ernst August of Brunswick whose son became King George I of England, to the unique 13th century warehouses with integrated apartment known as “Steinwerke”.
Along the south edge of the old market square stand stepped gabled gothic houses, opposite them the church of St. Marien and the “Stadtwaage”. Originally the excise building where goods were scrutinised to make sure that they were of the correct weight, size, and amount, the “Stadtwaage” now houses the Registry Office. At the head of the market place stands the imposing Town Hall. Completed in 1512 AD, it bears witness to the prosperity brought to the city through trading. Moving east across the market square the cobbled space narrows to open up again at junction with the “Hasestrasse” from where the romanesque St. Peter’s Cathedral can be seen; its two great towers rising up above the cathedral close “Grosse Domsfreiheit”.
In 780 AD, Charlemagne founded the diocese of Osnabrück and installed its first bishop. The settlement soon grew to become a thriving town. In 889, Osnabrück was granted the right to hold markets, to mint and issue coins and to impose duty on merchandise. First recorded as a “Stadt” in official documents in 1147, Osnabrück was granted its own judicial district by the Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa soon after.
In 1246, the cities of Osnabrück, Münster, Minden and Herford signed the treaty of Ladbergen to safeguard trade between them. The treaty became the basis for an alliance between Westphalian towns which paved the way to the founding of the Hanseatic League.
The quality of Osnabrück’s textile products was controlled by the so called “Legge” office. The seal showing the city’s emblem, a wheel, became an internationally accepted mark of outstanding quality and “Osnaburgh Linen” became famous throughout the world.
The Town Hall, completed in 1512, bears witness to Osnabrück’s trade based wealth and importance in the 16th century. The door-handle of the main entrance depicts a dove as the symbol of peace. In the Hall of Peace hang the portraits of the sovereigns of those countries involved in the Thirty-Years War, among others Queen Christina of Sweden and Louis XIV of France. The portraits of all the delegates assembled in Osnabrück in 1648 are also on display.
In 1543 the City Council introduced the Reformation. After the Westphalian Peace Treaty was signed on October 25th 1648, peace was declared from the Town Hall steps. Osnabrück became the only city to have an alternating succession of Roman Catholic prince bishops and Protestant prince bishops. Prince Bishops are lay princes of the realm as well as being the ecclesiastical rulers of the “Fürstbistum” (diocese) they are also the secular rulers of the region. This practice created a climate in which the different confessions learned to tolerate each other.
“Steckenpferdreiten” takes place on the 25th of October, the anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia. School children ride hobby horses through the streets of Osnabrück to the Town Hall, where each child receives a “Brezel” (pretzel) from the Mayor.
Osnabrück founds its tradition as a “City of Peace” on the negotiations which took place here to bring about an end to the Thirty Years War. After the Second World War, the endeavours of the city to promote peace were intensified. In keeping with the traditions of a “City of Peace”, Osnabrück awards a peace prize to authors who focus on the theme of peace in their fictional, journalistic or scientific work. The prize, established in 1991 and named after the Osnabrück-born author Erich Maria Remarque, made famous by his novel All Quiet on the Western Front, is awarded biannually.
A permanent exhibition on the life and works of Erich Maria Remarque is open to the public in the Erich Maria Remarque Peace Centre. The archive, in the same building, houses the world largest collection of material concerning the author. In addition to the Remarque exhibition, short term exhibitions dealing with such themes as war and persecution take place at irregular intervals.
In 1998 celebrations to mark the 350th anniversary of the end of the Thirty- Year War took place in the presence of the heads of state and other representatives from all the countries formerly involved in the conflict. Among those present were Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf with Queen Sylvia.
The motto of the anniversary, “Pax optima rerum” (Peace is the greatest of causes) is taken very seriously in the city. In October 2000 the German Federal Government set up the German Foundation for Peace Research and chose Osnabrück as its seat. The foundation is situated in the Ledenhof, a 14th century “Steinwerk” (warehouse with integrated apartment). Osnabrück also is the seat of German headquarters of terre des homes.
Since 1993, the "Osnabrücker Friedensgespräche" (Dialogue for Peace) have been jointly organised by the City and the University of Osnabrück with the aim of facilitating dialog between science, society, politics, and culture. Leading figures in those fields are invited to lecture on and/or take part in, public discussion addressing questions of political, social and cultural conflict. More than 100 events of this nature as well as 12 concerts under the title “musica pro pace”, have taken place over the last 12 years.
The museum Felix-Nussbaum-Haus displays the largest collection of paintings by the Osnabrück born German artist Felix Nussbaum. Nussbaum was murdered in Auschwitz in 1944 because of his Jewish faith. The exhibition shows Nussbaum’s journey from his sheltered youth in a well-situated Jewish family in Osnabrück to the haunted refugee who was caught and deported to his death in Auschwitz. His paintings allow a deep insight into the situation of the German Jews who were persecuted and forced into exile by the National Socialists as well as documenting his important contribution to modern art. Under the title “Felix Nussbaum - The Painter”, the new permanent exhibition shows a selection of paintings which throw light on both aspects of his work. The museum was designed by the American architect Daniel Libeskind, who also designed the new Jewish Museum in Berlin as well as “The Spiral”, an extension to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester.
We would be delighted to see you in Osnabrueck, the city from which the last plenipotentiary (general-agent) of the Hanseatic League, Johann Domann came. We are sure you would have a memorable stay in our lovely city.
