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Nuremberg Melanchthon-Gymnasium: Celebrate the oldest high school in Germany!
Find out more about the Melanchthon-Gymnasium in Nuremberg, Germany's oldest high school, and its exciting history.
Nuremberg Melanchthon-Gymnasium: Celebrate the oldest high school in Germany!
It's worth taking a look at the history of the Melanchthon-Gymnasium in Nuremberg! This venerable building, which is considered the oldest high school in Germany, has an exciting past that dates back to the late Middle Ages. The city itself is known for its magnificent medieval architecture, ranging from the Dürer House to picturesque half-timbered houses. But why is the Melanchthon-Gymnasium so special?
The school's origins date back to 1496, when it was decided to found a so-called “poet school”. Despite these good intentions, the educational institution had to be closed again in 1509 because the number of students did not increase. But a personality like Philipp Melanchthon would soon gain a foothold in Nuremberg. In August 1518 he visited the city and met the humanist Willibald Pirckheimer. This visit marked the beginning of a series of events that would have a lasting influence on school and church policy.
A historic decision
In October 1524, the Nuremberg council turned to Melanchthon to persuade him to teach at school. But the scholar politely declined. Only a second attempt in September 1525 brought success: Melanchthon agreed to travel to Nuremberg. In May 1526 he finally came to the opening of the school, which was named “Upper School near St. Egidien” on May 23, 1526. This laid the foundation for today's Melanchthon High School, which is considered the first humanistic high school in Germany.
When it opened, the curriculum was broad and included subjects such as dialectics, rhetoric, Latin classics, poetry, Greek, mathematics, music and religion. Even back then, the focus was on comprehensive education that went beyond the purely technical. In order to promote the talents of particularly gifted students, the school still offers a free support program that further increases the quality of education.
A part of the city's history
The Melanchthon-Gymnasium is not only known for its long tradition, but also for its connection to important personalities and events. Five secondary schools in Germany are named after Philipp Melanchthon, but only the Nuremberg high school can be traced directly back to him. The school will not only be a place of learning, but also a piece of living city history.
Nuremberg itself, with its historic buildings such as the Lorenz Church and the Dürer House, complements the importance of this educational institution. The coordinates of the Melanchthon-Gymnasium are 49.4581° north latitude and 11.0939° east longitude, and it is clear that this place is much more than just a school, but represents an important chapter in the German educational landscape.
News and stories about the Melanchthon-Gymnasium can also be found in the extensive literature, such as the collection “Student Years” by Alfred Graf, which offers insights into the lives of students like Ernst Müller from 1877 to 1886. These narratives give us personal access to past learning and growth.
The Melanchthon-Gymnasium in Nuremberg remains a center for education and culture, and it is fascinating how the history of the building continues to this day. Let’s look to the future – what will the high school achieve next?