Open Monument Day

Matinee featuring a reading by author Thomas Nitschke from his new book “Garden Cities in Germany”

This year, Thelem-Verlag Dresden published the book “Garden Cities in Germany” by authors Dr. Thomas Nitschke and Dr. Franziska Stöber.

Author Thomas Nitschke will read from the book as part of Open Monument Day, which highlights garden cities nationwide as an integral part of both rural and urban infrastructure. Hellerau is an important component of this network.

The authors set out on a journey of discovery: they travel to ten garden cities in both East and West Germany. They examine the local conditions, speak with residents, and come to the conclusion that it is worthwhile to recall the garden city ideas—which are too often forgotten or neglected by policymakers—and to revive them in the spirit of the German Garden City Society, founded in Berlin-Schlachtensee in 1902. The garden city concept was first successfully implemented in Hellerau. Within a few years, it developed into a pan-German phenomenon linked to far-reaching social, aesthetic, and progressive educational aspirations—aspirations that could also take on new relevance as a response to contemporary issues. (Source: Thelem press release).

As part of his reading, Thomas Nitschke will also address the concept of the “Pedagogical Province,” which is closely linked to the garden city concept in Hellerau.

Duration: 1 h 30 min.

Furhter Information: Dr. Anette Hellmuth, Deutsche Werkstätten, a.hellmuth@dwh.de, T. 0351-21590288 

Free Entry

Meeting point: Deutsche Werkstätten, Moritzburger Weg 68, 01109 Dresden 

Dr. Nils M. Schinker is a recognized expert on Hellerau. His book “Die Gartenstadt Hellerau 1909–1945: Urban Architecture, Small-Scale Housing, Social and Land Reform,” published in 2014 by Sandsteinverlag Dresden, provides detailed analyses of the town’s entire planning history and its individual landmarks.

Hellerau is the first ideal garden city based on Ebenezer Howard’s model and is considered Germany’s first Werkbund settlement. The town has set standards in urban planning and small-scale housing construction. Traces of the Lebensreform movement can be found throughout Hellerau.

Nils M. Schinker takes interested visitors on a walking tour along the streets and paths through Hellerau’s built heritage, providing background information and context.

Duration: 1 h 30 min.

Further information: Dr. Anette Hellmuth, Deutsche Werkstätten, a.hellmuth@dwh.de, T. 0351-21590288 

Free Entry

Meeting point: Hellerau Market, circular bench across from Hellerauer Marktbäcker, Markt 1, 01109 Dresden