Feuerschlößchen

Perched gracefully on the hill of Kirchbeuel in Bad Honnef, the Feuerschlößchen is an architectural gem that exudes historical charm and artistic elegance. This villa, constructed between 1905 and 1906, stands as a testament to the rich heritage and cultural tapestry of the region. As you explore its storied past and intricate design, you'll find yourself transported to an era where craftsmanship and grandeur were paramount.

The History of Feuerschlößchen

The site where Feuerschlößchen now stands was originally home to a baroque country house belonging to the Freiherren von Loë and von Bongart, dating back to the 17th or 18th century. This estate underwent several transformations, with its most recent incarnation being a three-winged, two-story structure completed in 1806. Known as Feuerschlößchen, it served as a guesthouse and hotel with 24 rooms until it was acquired by Essen newspaper publisher Wilhelm Girardet in 1903.

Girardet's vision for a new villa led to an architectural competition that garnered significant public interest, with around 900 architects requesting the competition documents. The winning design, submitted by Berlin-based government architect Wilhelm Freiherr von Tettau, was selected from this impressive pool of entries. The project was documented in several architectural journals, highlighting its prominence.

Construction of the villa began with the building of a gatehouse and stables in 1904, overseen by Tettau from a specially erected office. The main villa, known as Villa Girardet, received its building permit on June 8, 1905, and was completed in the summer of 1906 after a swift construction period of just 14 months. The villa's interior, also designed by Tettau, featured an array of artistic and functional elements, while the western enclosure wall was crafted with input from Karl Henrici. In 1911, a pergola was added to the northwest corner of the villa, enhancing its picturesque appeal.

Following Wilhelm Girardet's death in 1918, the villa stood vacant until it was repurposed during the National Socialist era. In December 1933, it became the new home for the Gauführerschule for the Cologne-Aachen district, with a grand reopening on July 1, 1934. The villa was adapted to include a large dining hall, an auditorium for 80 people, and living quarters for the school director. The former gardener's house and stables were converted into accommodations for staff and personnel. In 1944, the Westdeutscher Beobachter took ownership of the villa.

During the final stages of World War II, Feuerschlößchen was heavily contested. Post-war, it served as a high school for the sons of Belgian occupation officers, known as Athenée. After the occupation ended, the villa briefly housed an engineering school. In the early 1950s, the property became municipal property, and the villa's wall was rebuilt, removing a gate and fountain in the process. The Siebengebirgsgymnasium constructed a new school building on part of the villa's original park in 1958/59 and began using the villa itself in 1970 after a renovation. Later, the Deutsche Stiftung für internationale Entwicklung took over the building until 1996.

Restoration efforts began in 1988, aiming to return the villa to its original state, focusing first on the entrance hall and main staircase and later on the exterior facades. By spring 1998, the villa was ready for cultural use and by the Siebengebirgsgymnasium, at a cost of one million marks. In 1998, the International University of Applied Sciences for Tourism was established in the villa but moved to its own campus in 2000. Today, the gatehouse houses the Stadtjugendring (as of 2019).

Architectural Splendor

The Feuerschlößchen's design draws inspiration from English country houses, the Darmstadt Artists' Colony, and elements of Art Nouveau. The three-story villa, with its natural stone construction, features a variety of architectural elements, including bay windows, loggias, pilasters, caryatids, and cornices. The Rhine-facing front is symmetrically designed, while the rear and side facades are asymmetrical, creating a harmonious yet intriguing aesthetic. The villa's monumental presence is particularly striking from the Rhine front, while the overall design aims to evoke both picturesque and grandiose impressions.

The gatehouse, resembling a small castle, is constructed from rubble stone on its west and north sides and plastered brick on the upper floor and east side. Its entrance features a porch reminiscent of a battlement. The gatehouse's exterior wall includes a stone cross commemorating a death at this location in 1712, which is also a protected monument.

Legacy and Influence

The Feuerschlößchen has left an indelible mark on the architectural world. Hermann Muthesius, who served on the competition jury, incorporated elements of the villa's design into his own work, such as the House Bernhard in Berlin's Grunewald. Similarly, Carl Senff's 1907/08 house in Bonn's Nordstadt reflects the villa's influence in its design and integration of a central bay window. Hans Poelzig's 1910 Landhaus and Jugendheim Zwirner in Löwenberg, Silesia, also exhibit similarities, particularly in the transition from dormer windows to a steeply sloping roof.

In addition to its architectural impact, the Feuerschlößchen has inspired artistic works, such as Tilo Medek's 1981/82 piano piece Views from the Feuerschlößchen – Eight Piano Pieces for Young People, premiered in Lübeck in 1983.

Feuerschlößchen is not just a villa; it's a symbol of the artistic and cultural evolution of Bad Honnef. Its rich history, architectural splendor, and lasting legacy make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the confluence of history, art, and architecture.