Overview

The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität was originally an Electoral residence. Elector Joseph Clemens allowed the Bavarian Court builder Enrico Zuccalli to draw up the designs for this impressive four wing building with four corner towers in an Italian style. Building was started in 1697. In 1715 the French architect Robert de Cotte was allowed to re-shape the Residence into an extensive Rococo complex. The Residence was almost completely destroyed in a fire in 1777, and after re-building the court wing, Elector Clemens August set up an academy. His successor Max Franz finally developed it into a University in 1786. When the French occupied the Rhineland, the university was forced to close. It was re-opened in 1818 by Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, who gave the university its name. Today the buildings in the court gardens contain the Humanities departments of the University. From the Schlosskirche, which was built in the style of Louis XVI and whose entrance lies inside the university, there is a way through to the Franziskanerstraße to the Koblenz Gate. This spans across the Adenauerallee like a small triumphal arch. Large lawns stretch out in front of the university, the so-called Court Gardens, and are used as a sunbathing lawn for students and others in the summer.