Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum, Hildesheim, Germany

The Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim, mostly dedicated to Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Peruvian art, also includes the second largest collection of Chinese porcelain in Europe. Furthermore, the museum owns collections of natural history, ethnology, applied arts, drawings and prints, local history and arts, as well as archeology. Apart from the permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions of other archaeological and contemporary topics.

In 2000, the old building, originally built in the 1950s, was replaced by a new building, significantly increasing the space available for exhibitions.

The current museum is the result of the union of the Roemer Museum, founded in 1844 (and named after one of the founders, Herrmann Roemer), and the Pelizaeus Museum, established in 1911, that had housed the private collection of Egyptian antiques of Wilhelm Pelizaeus.

References:

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Museums in Germany

User Reviews

Gloria Gloria (3 years ago)
It was really intresting to visit

kdbendtsen (3 years ago)
Not a particularly large museum but still rather good with excellent temporary exhibitions. There are often interesting activities for children and it's also fun to wander around through a seemingly labyrinthine rabbit warren of rooms and see where you end up! Definitely a good choice to spend a half day in the winter months!

Sebastian Mueller (3 years ago)
Awesome museum that is providing a lot of insight into early Egyptology. Always good for a visit. The special exhibits are quite neat as well and offer a lot of value for the entrance fee. Would definitely recommend to anyone who has interest in Egyptology.

Tanya К. (3 years ago)
absolutely complete and lovely. Wonderful staff, shop and try the food too.Lovely.

Wolfgang Schmahl (4 years ago)
Small but well organized museum with phantastic display of ancient Egypt. Reconstruction of a noble tomb with decorated with grape vines. Informative displays on life in ancient Egypt

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Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba

The Mosque–Cathedral of Córdoba, also known as the Great Mosque of Córdoba and the Mezquita is regarded as one of the most accomplished monuments of Moorish architecture.

According to a traditional account, a small Visigoth church, the Catholic Basilica of Saint Vincent of Lérins, originally stood on the site. In 784 Abd al-Rahman I ordered construction of the Great Mosque, which was considerably expanded by later Muslim rulers. The mosque underwent numerous subsequent changes: Abd al-Rahman II ordered a new minaret, while in 961 Al-Hakam II enlarged the building and enriched the Mihrab. The last of such reforms was carried out by Almanzor in 987. It was connected to the Caliph"s palace by a raised walkway, mosques within the palaces being the tradition for previous Islamic rulers – as well as Christian Kings who built their palaces adjacent to churches. The Mezquita reached its current dimensions in 987 with the completion of the outer naves and courtyard.

In 1236, Córdoba was conquered by King Ferdinand III of Castile, and the centre of the mosque was converted into a Catholic cathedral. Alfonso X oversaw the construction of the Villaviciosa Chapel and the Royal Chapel within the mosque. The kings who followed added further Christian features, such as King Henry II rebuilding the chapel in the 14th century. The minaret of the mosque was also converted to the bell tower of the cathedral. It was adorned with Santiago de Compostela"s captured cathedral bells. Following a windstorm in 1589, the former minaret was further reinforced by encasing it within a new structure.

The most significant alteration was the building of a Renaissance cathedral nave in the middle of the expansive structure. The insertion was constructed by permission of Charles V, king of Castile and Aragon. Artisans and architects continued to add to the existing structure until the late 18th century.

Architecture

The building"s floor plan is seen to be parallel to some of the earliest mosques built from the very beginning of Islam. It had a rectangular prayer hall with aisles arranged perpendicular to the qibla, the direction towards which Muslims pray. The prayer hall was large and flat, with timber ceilings held up by arches of horseshoe-like appearance.

In planning the mosque, the architects incorporated a number of Roman columns with choice capitals. Some of the columns were already in the Gothic structure; others were sent from various regions of Iberia as presents from the governors of provinces. Ivory, jasper, porphyry, gold, silver, copper, and brass were used in the decorations. Marvellous mosaics and azulejos were designed. Later, the immense temple embodied all the styles of Morisco architecture into one composition.

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