The Wartburg Models by Hans Ludwig

Hans Ludwig built two models of the Wartburg.  The first of these models was exhibited at the 1958 Leipzig Spring Fair and at a meeting of Anchor friends in Rudolstadt.  Now both of these buildings are in Rudolstadt, in the possession of the Spielhausverein in the Richter Villa.  

This model of the Wartburg, Eisenach, was built by Hans Ludwig in 1958.  It is currently being exhibited in the Richter Villa in Rudolstadt.  The model is approximately 100:1.  The Wartburg is a very important castle.  It was the home of Saint Elizabeth.  Martin Luther translated the bible here.  Because the Wartburg was the seat of the Elector of Thuringia, the castle was not as important as a fortification as it was as a seat of government.  Hans Ludwig also built a much larger Wartburg, pictures of which are shown below.

The entrance gate is on the left; the view is from the northeast.  The picture below is the same side, but looking from the southeast.

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As can be seen, this end has no entrance.

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The location of Luther's rooms were in the half-timbered section of the building, not the main part of the castle.

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This larger model of the Wartburg was on exhibition in Berlin from the time it was build (1959 - 60) until this year.  It has been given to the Spielhausverein and moved to Rudolstadt.  These pictures of the Wartburg were taken by me in Berlin in 1994.  It was not possible to get good pictures due to the glass enclosure.

The entrance gate is on the  right.  The main palace building is hard to see on the left.

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The opposite side of the entrance end  There is no other entrance.

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A close-up of the palace and another building.  Note the details of the smaller building.  And the roof on that building makes wonderful use of 1/8th thickness blue stones.

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The entrance gate is beautifully done.  The brass plaque notes that the building was built by Hans Ludwig of Berlin-Frohnau.

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Note the detailed work by Hans Ludwig.  You can count the stones and note their sizes.  This end of the palace in 18 Anchor units (metric inches) wide, not counting the roof overhang.

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Note the details relating to the small tower -- the stairs, the railing, etc.

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Again, count the stones.  The palace is about four feet long!  Hans Ludwig claimed that it took him some 2,500 hours to construct this model.

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