Information on the Office for Peace Culture
The Office for Peace Culture forms the central coordination point for the continuous development of Osnabrück as a city of peace and is responsible for the implementation of the concept. It acts as a link between politics, administration and citizens involved in peace work and also takes on tasks in the field of development and project management as well as providing advice and services for active citizens. The office's services include the general promotion of peace-related activities as well as support for projects and measures to promote cultural diversity. Cultural associations and initiatives are advised on their activities and receive financial support for project planning.
A rider's mask becomes a peace sign
In 2009, a Roman horseman's mask found in Bramsche-Kalkriese was given a special significance: in the course of the "2000th anniversary of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ", the campaign "Field Signs to Peace Signs" was launched. The Osnabrück artist Volker-Johannes Trieb designed the concept of a stele (a monument) with an enlarged replica of the mask made of metal. A symbol of military power becomes a peace sign. In addition to the masks, 6000 squared timbers, 2000 iron rods and 2000 tree slices were used. The 2000 peace signs were creatively painted and designed by more than 10,000 citizens from the city and district of Osnabrück. After an exhibition in Kalkriese, the stelae then moved on as representations of peace. Today they can be found in Osnabrück and throughout the Osnabrück region. Due to a high demand for the popular art objects, there was a second edition in 2014.
Museum and Park Kalkriese
In 1987/88, the British officer and amateur archaeologist Tony Clunn discovered three Roman slingshots in the fields of Kalkriese near Bramsche. Subsequent excavations produced a large number of finds, including coins, weapons, Roman soldier's equipment and the remains of a rampart. The significance of the site as a possible location of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest was quickly recognised. An information room was opened nearby in 1993 followed by the opening of the 20-hectare Kalkriese Park as part of the Expo in 2000 and a museum in 2001. In 2009, a visitor centre was added to the site. Permanent and temporary exhibitions provide information about the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. The archaeological excavations are also open to the public. In 2005, the museum was awarded the Europa Nostra Award, and in 2022 it received the Museumsgütesiegel (Museum Quality Seal Award) for the third time.
The classification of Kalkriese as the original site of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest is supported by a metal analysis of finds carried out in 2022.
Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
"Varus, Varus, give me back my legions!" the Roman Emperor Augustus is said to have exclaimed when he learned in 9 AD that 15,000 of his soldiers had been killed in just three days by the Germanic tribes under their leader Arminius. After the areas to the left of the Rhine and south of the Danube already belonged to the Roman Empire, the Romans wanted to penetrate further into the territory of the Germanic tribes. Arminius, a Cheruscan with Roman citizenship, was to support the Romans with an auxiliary legion. He was considered a reliable ally, but in the end turned against Rome to fight for the Germanic tribes. Arminius succeeded in deceiving the Roman commander Varus and luring him into an ambush, which ultimately led to the victory of the Germanic tribes and an end to Roman expansion efforts on the right bank of the Rhine.
The Germanic name of Arminius has not been handed down. It was not until the 19th century that the name Hermann, first used by Martin Luther, became established in the context of hero worship. The Hermann Monument near Detmold is dedicated to him.
