Bronze plaque for the Academia Julia: Monument protection celebrates preservation!

Bronze plaque for the Academia Julia: Monument protection celebrates preservation!

The history of the Juleum in Helmstedt, once the first Protestant university in northern Germany, is receiving new impetus through a comprehensive facade renovation that is currently being carried out. These renovation measures, which have been underway since 2020, are significantly supported by the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD). With funding of 60,000 euros from 2018 to 2023, the DSD is ensuring that this important building is not only restored, but also preserved for future generations. On July 21, 2025, Karl-Heinz Broska, local curator of the DSD, will hand over a bronze plaque to Gerhard Radeck, district administrator of the Helmstedt district, to honor the commitment of the supporters, as denkmalschutz.de reports.

The plaque, which bears the inscription “Funded by the German Foundation for Monument Protection with the help of the GlücksSpirale”, not only honors the financial support, but also promotes the motivation for other private sponsors. Broska also announced that the DSD would like to tackle more projects in Helmstedt, Schöningen and Königslutter. The renovation of the Juleum's facade is a real passion project.

Historical significance and challenges

The Juleum, founded in 1576 by Duke Julius, is the oldest surviving university building in northwest Germany and an outstanding example of the Weser Renaissance. In the university's heyday, up to 500 students studied there. Important personalities such as Giordano Bruno and Carl Friedrich Gauß not only shaped the university, but also the academic landscape of Europe. Today the main building is used for public events and concerts, while the stair tower is accessible to interested visitors.

Despite its turbulent history, however, the Juleum is not without its challenges. The building has not been restored for almost 30 years and now shows significant damage such as crumbling sandstone decoration and cracks in the plaster. As the renovation work progresses, a barrier has been erected around the building to protect passers-by from potential dangers, according to findings on monumente-online.de.

Financing the renovation

The renovation costs for the Juleum amount to around 2.35 million euros, with funding amounting to 360,000 euros already being promised by various foundations. An additional 1.2 million euros will come from the federal and state governments of Lower Saxony. The Helmstedt district will cover the remaining amount so that the renovation can move forward quickly. This is a clear priority for those responsible, as the challenges of the renovations must be addressed in order to return the Juleum to its full glory. This is also reported by Landkreis Helmstedt.

In summary, the Juleum not only stands for a glorious past, but also for a promising future, which is secured by the commitment of the foundation and the district. The networking of public and private sponsors shows how important it is to support the preservation of such important historical sites. People in Helmstedt are looking forward to the renovation and at the same time to the future events that can take place in the academic palace.