Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Historism

Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. Most of the Art Nouveau buildings in Riga, built during a period of rapid economic growth, date from between 1904 and 1914, with influences from what is now Austria, Finland and Germany.The establishment of an architecture faculty in Riga in 1869 contributed significantly to the city's well-trained architect base. By the end of the 19th century, Riga was an important city in the Russian Empire. Between 1897 and 1913, the city grew by 88%, reaching a population of 530,000 in 1914. In the mid-19th century, the city began to expand beyond medieval Riga, which was once surrounded by gates and walls. These were demolished and replaced by a belt of boulevards and gardens, and the growing city developed according to a grid that followed strict building regulations. Between 1910 and 1913, 300 to 500 new buildings were erected each year, most of them in Art Nouveau style, and most of them outside the old town. Today, Art Nouveau architecture accounts for one third of all the buildings in the centre of Riga.

Offenburg was first mentioned in 1148 and was declared a Free Imperial City by 1240. During the 9-Years-War the town suffered under the French occupation of Offenburg. In 1689 Offenburg was set on fire and completely destroyed except for the Capuchin monastery and two other houses. The "Offenburger Programm" which consisted of thirteen demands "in the name of the people of Baden", was put forward here on 12 September 1847. This was the first known demand for democracy in Germany, demanding basic and human rights as well as freedom of the press. It was one of the triggers that started the 1848-Revolution in Southern Germany. After the Catholic parish in Offenburg had grown to about 12.000 parishioners end of the 19th century, the planning for a second Catholic church started. The erection of the Neo-Romanesque Dreifaltigkeitskirche ("Holy Trinity"), designed by Johannes Schroth, started in 1904. It got consecrated already 2 years later. It is 60m long and has a capacity of 1.300. Johann Schroth´s style is in between Historism and Art Nouveau, what is visible inside.

Offenburg was first mentioned in 1148 and was declared a Free Imperial City by 1240. During the 9-Years-War the town suffered under the French occupation of Offenburg. In 1689 Offenburg was set on fire and completely destroyed except for the Capuchin monastery and two other houses. The "Offenburger Programm" which consisted of thirteen demands "in the name of the people of Baden", was put forward here on 12 September 1847. This was the first known demand for democracy in Germany, demanding basic and human rights as well as freedom of the press. It was one of the triggers that started the 1848-Revolution in Southern Germany. After the Catholic parish in Offenburg had grown to about 12.000 parishioners end of the 19th century, the planning for a second Catholic church started. The erection of the Neo-Romanesque Dreifaltigkeitskirche ("Holy Trinity"), designed by Johannes Schroth, started in 1904. It got consecrated already 2 years later. It is 60m long and has a capacity of 1.300. Johann Schroth´s style is in between Historism and Art Nouveau, what is visible inside.

The city of Siegen (pop. 100.000) got its name probably from the river name Sieg. The city´s history is connected to mining, some mines date back to the late Iron Age. In 1224 the "Oberes Schloss" ("upper castle") existed already was already standing at this time, in 1303, the town was granted town rights. In the 16th century, the town was surrounded by walls with 16 towers and three town gates. After the Refomarmation Protestands (Calvinists) and Catholics lived here side by side. A sometimes violent neighborhood. Mid 18th century the wealthy area was part of the Principality of Orange-Nassau, ruled by William I, who was Prince of Orange-Nassau, Prince of Orange and the first King of the Netherlands. In 1815 Siegen was assigned to the Prussian Province of Westphalia. In 1577, Peter Paul Rubens, the the best known son of the city, was born here to the Calvinists Jan Rubens and Maria Pypelincks, who had fled Antwerp. The Catholic parish church St. Michael is pretty young. Built 1903-1906 in Neo-Romanic style, it does look older.