Hermann Giesler
Encyclopedia
Hermann Giesler was a German architect during the Nazi era, one of the two architects most favored and rewarded by Adolf Hitler
(the other being Albert Speer
).
Hermann Giesler completed his architectural study at the Academy for Applied Arts in Munich
. Starting from 1930 he worked as an independent architect. In 1933 he became master of building of districts in Sonthofen
and 1937, became a professor.
Up to 1938 he designed the "Ordensburg" in Sonthofen
, planned Gau Forums in Weimar
and Augsburg
, and the "university" for the NSDAP at Chiemsee
. Also, Giesler refurbished different buildings (such as the "Hotel of the Elephant" in Weimar). In addition, he was commissioned to build Hitler's house in Munich.
In 1938 he was ordered by Hitler to the "General Building Inspector" for the reorganization of the city of Munich
. Later he became also a director in the Organisation Todt
, then one of the directors of the Group of Works of VI (Bavaria, Donaugaue).
Starting from 1941, after fellow architect Roderich Fick
fell out of political favor, Giesler was entrusted by Hitler with the reorganization of the entire city of Linz
. Starting from 1942 he worked on plans and a large model for the Danube Development of the Banks, starting from 1944, also worked on designs for the cultural center, which Hitler regarded with particular interest.
Throughout the war, Giesler and Speer had several heated arguments about architectural styles. In September 1944 he was named one of the Reich's most important artists in the Gottbegnadeten list
.
After the war, Giesler wrote "Ein anderer Hitler" (Another Hitler), a personal memoir about his relationship with the dictator.
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
(the other being Albert Speer
Albert Speer
Albert Speer, born Berthold Konrad Hermann Albert Speer, was a German architect who was, for a part of World War II, Minister of Armaments and War Production for the Third Reich. Speer was Adolf Hitler's chief architect before assuming ministerial office...
).
Hermann Giesler completed his architectural study at the Academy for Applied Arts in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. Starting from 1930 he worked as an independent architect. In 1933 he became master of building of districts in Sonthofen
Sonthofen
Sonthofen is the most southerly town of Germany, located in the Oberallgäu region of the Bavarian Alps. Neighbouring Oberstdorf is situated 14 km farther south but is not classified as a town. Sonthofen is located at...
and 1937, became a professor.
Up to 1938 he designed the "Ordensburg" in Sonthofen
Sonthofen
Sonthofen is the most southerly town of Germany, located in the Oberallgäu region of the Bavarian Alps. Neighbouring Oberstdorf is situated 14 km farther south but is not classified as a town. Sonthofen is located at...
, planned Gau Forums in Weimar
Weimar
Weimar is a city in Germany famous for its cultural heritage. It is located in the federal state of Thuringia , north of the Thüringer Wald, east of Erfurt, and southwest of Halle and Leipzig. Its current population is approximately 65,000. The oldest record of the city dates from the year 899...
and Augsburg
Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in the south-west of Bavaria, Germany. It is a university town and home of the Regierungsbezirk Schwaben and the Bezirk Schwaben. Augsburg is an urban district and home to the institutions of the Landkreis Augsburg. It is, as of 2008, the third-largest city in Bavaria with a...
, and the "university" for the NSDAP at Chiemsee
Chiemsee
Chiemsee is a freshwater lake in Bavaria, Germany, between Rosenheim, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria. It is often called the Bavarian Sea. The rivers Tiroler Achen and Prien flow into the lake; the river Alz, out of it...
. Also, Giesler refurbished different buildings (such as the "Hotel of the Elephant" in Weimar). In addition, he was commissioned to build Hitler's house in Munich.
In 1938 he was ordered by Hitler to the "General Building Inspector" for the reorganization of the city of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. Later he became also a director in the Organisation Todt
Organisation Todt
The Todt Organisation, was a Third Reich civil and military engineering group in Germany named after its founder, Fritz Todt, an engineer and senior Nazi figure...
, then one of the directors of the Group of Works of VI (Bavaria, Donaugaue).
Starting from 1941, after fellow architect Roderich Fick
Roderich Fick
Roderich Fick was a German architect most prominent during the Nazi regime.Fick trained under Theodor Fischer, became professor at the Munich Technical University in 1935, designed the Munich residence of Rudolf Hess in 1936, joined the NSDAP in 1937, and thereby secured Nazi projects such as...
fell out of political favor, Giesler was entrusted by Hitler with the reorganization of the entire city of Linz
Linz
Linz is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria . It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is , and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about...
. Starting from 1942 he worked on plans and a large model for the Danube Development of the Banks, starting from 1944, also worked on designs for the cultural center, which Hitler regarded with particular interest.
Throughout the war, Giesler and Speer had several heated arguments about architectural styles. In September 1944 he was named one of the Reich's most important artists in the Gottbegnadeten list
Gottbegnadeten list
The Gottbegnadeten list was a 36-page list of artists considered crucial to Nazi culture. The list was assembled in September 1944 by Joseph Goebbels, the head of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, and Germany's dictator Adolf Hitler.The list exempted the designated artists from...
.
After the war, Giesler wrote "Ein anderer Hitler" (Another Hitler), a personal memoir about his relationship with the dictator.