ULM, LA VENECIA GERMANA, ADONDE NACIO EL GENIO ALBERT EINSTEIN - DESENMASCARANDO LAS FALSAS DOCTRINAS

ALBERT EINSTEIN IN ULM, 1879 – 1880

Hermann Einstein (1847-1902), born in Buchau on the Federsee and merchant in Ulm, married 18 year-old Pauline Koch (1858-1920) from Cannstatt, the daughter of a purveyor to the royal household and corn-merchant in Stuttgart, on August 8, 1876. At first Hermann Einstein and his young wife lived at the “Suedlicher Muensterplatz” in Ulm. He was the joint owner of a company trading with feather-beddings at Weinhof A 90 (“Zum Engländer”, later renamed to Weinhof 19). Ulm was then a soaring town of some 33000 inhabitants with two percent among them being Jews. The Einsteins, also being of Jewish ancestry, participated in the religious life of the Jewish community. In 1878/79 Hermann Einstein and his pregnant wife moved to a new and larger residence at Bahnhofstrasse B 135 (in 1880 renamed to Bahnhofstrasse 20) in Ulm.

1 The house where Einstein was born

Einstein’s birth-place

About his birth-place in the Bahnhofstrasse 20, in a letter to Carlos Erlanger, son of the house-owner at that time, Einstein wrote in April 1929: “To be born the house is quite nice because on this occasion one does not yet have major aesthetic needs; instead one cries at his beloved ones without worrying much about reasons and conditions.”

The house, erected in 1871, was destroyed in December 1944 during one of the heaviest bombardments of Ulm. Einstein did not have any special relation to his birth-place. When he was shown a photo of his destroyed birth-place he wrote in his reply: “Time has affected it even much more than it has affected me.”

On March 14, 1879, a Friday, Pauline Einstein gave birth to her first child, a boy, in their residence in the Bahnhofstrasse. On the following day Hermann Einstein registered his son at the registry office in Ulm with the name Albert.

As the back of the head seemed much too big, the family initially considered a monstrosity. The physician, however, was able to calm them down and some weeks later the shape of the head was normal. When Albert’s grandmother saw him for the first time she is reported to have muttered continuously “Much too fat, much too fat!” Contrasting all apprehensions Albert grew and developed normally except that he seemed a bit slow.

Financially Hermann Einstein and his family were able to live a more or less untroubled life in Ulm. However, at the initiative of his younger brother Jakob, Hermann Einstein moved with his wife and the one year old Albert to Munich during the summer of 1880. There Hermann Einstein had the opportunity to become partner of his brother’s company Einstein & Cie. On June 21, 1880 Hermann Einstein registered himself and his family with the police. Thus after only 15 months Albert Einstein’s stay in Ulm had come to an end.

Until the present day it is not entirely clear whether Einstein ever visited his birth-place again. From several surviving letters, however, there is evidence that he might have visited Ulm briefly on passing through.

Ulm and Einstein

In 1920, after Einstein’s achievements had been widely recognized, Ulm also wanted to honour him. Thus, for example, in 1922 the decision was made to name a yet to be constructed street after him. Even though in Nazi-Germany this street was renamed Fichtestrasse (after Johann Gottlieb Fichte, 1762-1814, a German philosopher), it was named Einsteinstrasse again in 1945. On the occasion of his 50th birthday on March 14, 1929, Einstein was informed in a letter of congratulation by the then mayor that the city of Ulm had named a street in his honour. With respect to the Einsteinstrasse Einstein remarked in his reply: “I have already heard about the street named after me. My comforting thought was that I am not responsible for whatever is going to happen there.” Between 1920 and 1929 a lively exchange of notes between Ulm and Albert Einstein developed which, interrupted by the political situation in Germany, was only resumed in 1949.

In 1949 Ulm wanted to grant Einstein the rights of a freeman of the city. Einstein however declined, pointing to the fate of the Jews in Nazi-Germany.

While Einstein was still alive and also after his death in April 1955 several ceremonies and commemoration days were held in his honour.

At present, apart from the above-mentioned Einsteinstrasse, in Ulm you can find a memorial and a memorial tablet in the Bahnhofstrasse. In addition, the building of the “Volkshochschule” (school for adult education) carries the name “EinsteinHaus”. When laying the foundation-stone to the “EinsteinHaus – Haus der Volkshochschule” in January 1966 the nobel laureates Max Born (1882-1970), Otto Hahn (1879-1968) and Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) were present. Since 1968 there is a permanent photographic exhibition in the first floor of the EinsteinHaus where the life of Albert Einstein is re-traced in a selection of individual photographs, arranged by Professor Hans (Nick) Roericht. Information about this exhibition is available under info@vh-ulm.de.

On the occasion of the 125th birthday of Albert Einstein a ceremonial act took place in the Congress Centre in Ulm on Sunday, March 14, 2004. After the lord mayor Ivo Gönner welcomed the audience, Johannes Rau, the prime minister of Baden-Württemberg Erwin Teufel and the head of the “Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft” (German Physical Society), professor Roland Sauerbrey held a speech. The ceremonial speech was held by doctor Albrecht Fölsing. The ceremonial act was musically accompanied by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the city of Ulm under the direction of James Allen Gähres.

The spring congress of the “Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e.V.” (German Physical Society (incorporated society)) took place in Ulm in March. An Einstein opera was played in the “Grosses Haus” (Great House) of the Ulm Theatre from March to May. The cultural highlight of the Einstein year in Ulm, an Einstein exhibition, was presented in the town house on Muensterplatz from March 12 to August 29.

https://einstein-website.de/en/ulm/

The tallest Church in the world – Ulm

Ulm Cathedral (Ulmer Münster) is the Gothic church with the tallest tower in the world (before the completion of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain) and the fourth tallest structure built before the 20th century, with a tower height of 161.5 meters.

The main tower of the church has 768 steps, they reach up to 143 m high, from where you can see the panorama of the city. On clear days, the panorama of the Swiss and Bavarian Alps can be seen from the church tower.

The interior of the cathedral can be visited without charging a fee, and to climb the tower you have to pay €3/person.

Ulm is located on the left bank of the Danube, in the state of Baden Württemberg. The city initially developed as a medieval fair due to its location on the Danube. Today, the fact that the old town is so close to the river adds to the charm of the place. You can take a ferry ride on the Danube from where you can admire the tourist sights closer to the shore.

If you don’t come by car, you don’t have to worry about spending money on public transport, because the city center is small enough to be covered on foot.

Besides the fact that the city houses the church with the highest tower, Ulm is also known because the great physicist Albert Einstein was born here.

Einstein‘s home was destroyed in an Allied raid and never rebuilt. The Einstein Denkmal (Einstein Monument), built in 1979, marks its place opposite the central station.

Another lens reminiscent of the famous Albert Einstein is the Einstein Brunnen (Einstein Fountain) created in 1984 by the sculptor Jürgen Goertz. The bronze sculpture consists of three elements: the missile bar – represents technology, the conquest of the universe and the nuclear threat; a large snail shell representing nature, wisdom and skepticism towards the mastery of human technology, and from this shell emerges the head of the scientist Albert Einstein.

The central square (Marktplatz) is lined with medieval houses with stepped gables.

From the central square you can easily reach the Fishermen’s Quarter (Fischerviertel) on the Blau river – an affluent of the Danube where you can walk along the narrow cobbled alleys and admire the small houses specific to Germany, some of which have been transformed into restaurants, souvenir shops or hotels.

In the Fisherman‘s Quarter is also the Schiefes Haus Ulm – a house leaning over the river supported by its old beams, built in the 14th century and used today as a hotel.

To the south of the Cathedral is the beautiful Town Hall (Rathaus) built in the Gothic style, with frescoes dating back to 1540. Visitors are often surprised to learn that the intricate designs and decorations were largely restored after the devastation of World War II Worldwide.

Originally built in the mid-14th century, it first served as a store before being transformed into an administrative institution. Other attractions of the building include a replica of the 16th-century astronomical clock and the beautiful fountain called Fischkasten (Fish Tank) built in 1482.

Most of the Ulm‘s 15th-century city walls have been well preserved and today provide an excellent means of exploring the old city. Built in 1482 along the banks of the Danube, the walls – originally designed as a deterrent against invaders – today surround the city and offer tourists a way to admire the view and sights that the city of Ulm has to offer. Along the way, you can find numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as peaceful riverside scenery, ideal for picnics.

Another tourist attraction is the German Bread Museum (Deutsches Brotmuseum), which offers a fascinating insight into the history of bread and its baking, from ancient times to modern times. Exhibits cover the entire process, from growing grains and harvesting crops to the social implications of bread (or lack thereof) on the population. The museum also houses an impressive art collection based on these themes, including paintings by well-known artists such as Rembrandt, Dalí or Picasso.

Tourists who have more time to visit the city can choose the UlmCard which includes free transport on any public transport, free entrance to museums or free guided tours. The 24-hour card costs €12/person and the 48-hour card costs €18/person. You can find more details by clicking here.

If you liked our article about Ulm, read our one on Mannheim as well.