Francke Foundations "Pflantz-Garten"

August Hermann Francke set up the very first school gardens in Germany, 300 years ago. They were a regular element of the school’s teaching, based on experience of practice and use of genuine material. The terraced “Pflantz-Garten” (plant garden) on the grounds of the former Francke Foundations kitchen garden will take up this tradition and continue the concept of nature teaching successfully used by Francke through practical illustration.

The terraces, located between Hans Ahrbeck House (House 31) and the County Grammar School Latina (House 42), are designed as four themed gardens. They mirror the interest in plants and gardens in the 300-year history of the Francke Foundations. They will be available for use by the educational institutions on the site as a modern teaching garden complex with stables for small animal husbandry or greenhouses for biology lessons. They are also designed to become a meeting place for people, plants and animals – for information, research, work, study, relaxation and contemplation.

The project Environment Formation in the Francke Foundations is funded by the Land Saxony-Anhalt and the Society of Friends of the Francke Foundations. The “Pflantz-Garten” is the starting point for teaching on the environment, for use by the children of the kindergartens and primary schools on the site of the Francke Foundations. A brochure is also being printed on all the environmental education projects and activities in Halle for kindergarten and school-age children.