Building plans

The historical core of the Foundations grouped around the Linden Courtyard has been restored to its former glory. As yet, however, only around half of the necessary repairs and restorations have been carried out on the site. Construction vehicles and noise will continue to be a part of everyday life in the Foundations for some years to come, a situation which also prevailed in the 18th and 19th centuries, as documents from the archives tell us.

Restored and New Buildings since 1992

Historical terraced buildings on Franckeplatz
With the financial support of the national and regional governments, the full restoration of the historical terraced buildings at the entrance to the Francke Foundations was begun in 2006. The buildings are former inns from the 16th and 17th century, which Francke bought up and altered for use for educational and social purposes. Francke’s former home is the first to be renovated. Built in 1655, it was previously an inn known as the “Golden Rose”. An exhibition on the life and work of August Hermann Francke, a museum shop, further exhibition space and a room for quiet contemplation are being built. The Francke House will be opened to the public in autumn 2008. The entire restoration project is scheduled for completion in 2011 and will cost 4.6 million EUR.

Restoration of House 36/36a
The terraced houses south of the administration building will be repaired in 2008/09 with the financial support of the Saxony-Anhalt regional government. After the completion of the restoration, the State Teacher Training Seminar will move into the buildings, reinforcing the Francke Foundations as a prime location for teacher training in the region.

Renovation of the Historical Orphanage
The Historical Orphanage was closed to visitors for urgent repairs from 1 February to 31 May 2008. An underground rock shift caused by mining in 1996 had damaged the building. The exhibition floor was also fitted with air conditioning during the repairs.

IBA Project "Franckesche Gärten"
The re-establishment of the Francke Foundations after the end of the German Democratic Republic in 1989 was closely linked with the idea of regaining something of the original self-contained and intimate nature of the historical site as a whole. The interior of the Foundations buildings has indeed been reinvigorated. Some 40 institutions are now working here again, continuing the many traditions of August Hermann Francke on the mutual basis of the Foundations’ history. The diversity of these organisations is one of the Foundations’ greatest strengths. However, it also illustrates the balancing act between openness and self-containment that the Foundations have to master. The inner diversity that marks the life of the Foundations today makes it necessary for the Foundations to open up in many directions, becoming a translucent organisation. Making it possible to experience the entire Foundations grounds as they once were, as a self-sufficient and organically evolved site, and realising the idea of a “town within a town”, is the balancing act facing the IBA Project “Franckesche Gärten”.