Schloss Arkaden celebrates its fifth Anniversary

The largest Quadriga in Europe on top of  Schloss Arkaden.

This Schloss was the home of the Dukes of Braunschweig and their families from 1753 to the 8th November 1918. The building was first built in 1718 under the direction of Hermann Cage.  This building burned down in 1830, and was rebuilt in 1841.  It was heavily damaged  by bombing during World War II,  and was completely demolished by  the Brunswick City Council in 1960, although many of the ornamental stones were saved for future use.  The cleared site later became the Palace Gardens. The City Council decided in the spring of 2005 to rebuild the Schloss retaining its original facade, and in the of spring of 2007, a large shopping complex opened on the site.   

Behind the facade is a palacial shopping centre, a library, a museum and many rooms for municipal use and for hire.   Schloss Arkaden opened on 6th May 2007, and yesterday the city celebrated its 5th anniversay, with bands and music.  The museum was open free of charge,  but was so crowded,  that I went in, but came straight out again!

The four man band plays traditional jazz.

Unfortunately the weather was cold and miserable and it was not possible to sit, eat, drink and be merry, but the music was good.  The above four man jazz band played some lively jazz music, much enjoyed by us all.

The entrance to the Schloss Museum, open free of charge for the day.

The blue carpet leads to the Schloss Museum, and the four man band is playing just in front of the white tents.  Under one tent was a grand piano and music stands, I think a quartet had played there earlier and given up and gone home to the warmth.



The main entrance to the shopping arcade with the quadriga on top.  There is a viewing platform here, which gives a wonderful view of the city.  The patchwork colour of the stones shows which are new and which were saved from the bombed building.