Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Geburtshaus der Brüder Grimm
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Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
1. Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm Marker
An dieser Stelle - ehemals Paradeplatz 1 - stand das Geburtshaus der Brüder Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm. Die weltbekannten Märchensammler, Sprachforscher und politisch handelnden Gelehrten wurden hier am 4. Januar 1785 (Jacob) und am 24. Februar 1786 (Wilhelm) geboren. Ihre Eltern waren der Stadt- und Landschreiber sowie Stadtsekretär Philipp Wilhelm Grimm und Dorothea Grimm, geb. Zimmer.
Das Gebäude wurde - wie die gesamte Hanauer Innenstadt - im Zweiten Weltkrieg am 19. März 1945 durch einen alliierten Luftangriff zerstört.
Die Familie Grimm
Die Grimms sind eine alte hessische Familie. Als Begründer der Hanauer Linie ist Johannes Grimm belegt, ab 1639 Bürger der Altstadt und Wirt der Gastwirtschaft „Zum Fass“. Friedrich Grimm (1672-1748), Urgroßvater Jacob und Wilhelm Grimms, war Erster Pfarrer an der Marienkirche und Inspektor der reformierten Gemeinden der Grafschaft Hanau. Philipp Wilhelm Grimm und Dorothea Zimmer, die Eltern der Grimms, hatten insgesamt neun Kinder, von denen drei bereits im frühen Kindesalter starben.
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Birthplace of the Brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
The birthplace of the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm stood on this spot - formerly Paradeplatz 1. The world-famous fairy tale collectors, linguists and politically active scholars were born here on January 4, 1785 (Jacob) and February 24, 1786 (Wilhelm). Their parents were the town and county clerk and town secretary Philipp Wilhelm Grimm and Dorothea Grimm, née Zimmer.
The building - like the entire city center of Hanau - was destroyed in the Second World War on March 19, 1945 by an Allied air raid.
The Grimm family
The Grimms are an old Hessian family. The founder of the Hanau line is Johannes Grimm, a citizen of the old town from 1639 and innkeeper of the “Zum Fass” inn. Friedrich Grimm (1672-1748), great-grandfather of Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, was the first pastor at St. Mary's Church and inspector of the Reformed congregations in the county of Hanau. Philipp Wilhelm Grimm and Dorothea Zimmer, the parents of the Grimms, had a total of nine children, three of whom died in early childhood. In January 1791, the family moved from Hanau to Steinau an der Straße, where the father was transferred as a bailiff.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
2. Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here to the right of the building entrance.
Erected by Stadt Hanau, Hanauer Geschichtsverein 1844 e.V., Familie Seidenspinner.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is January 4, 1785.
Location. 50° 8.065′ N, 8° 55.13′ E. Marker is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis. It is on Am Freiheitsplatz west of Rosenstrasse, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Am Freiheitsplatz 1A, Hanau HE 63450, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wohnhaus von Friedrich Rückert / Residence of Friedrich Rückert (within shouting distance of this marker); Vogelschau auf Hanau / Bird’s-eye view of Hanau (within shouting distance of this marker); Schießscharte der Altstadtbefestigung / Old town fortress embrasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Fundament der Bastion / Foundation of the Bastion (within shouting distance of this marker); Wohnhaus der Tante Schlemmer / Residence of Auntie Schlemmer (within shouting distance of this marker); „Lauschet den Gassen“ / “Listen to the Streets” (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Wohnhaus von Georg Cornicelius / Residence of Georg Cornicelius
3. Marker detail: Birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, and the Brothers Grimm
Also see . . . Brothers Grimm (Wikipedia). Overview:
The Brothers Grimm (German: die Brüder Grimm or die Gebrüder Grimm), Jacob (1785–1863) and Wilhelm (1786–1859), were German academics who together collected and published folklore. The brothers are among the best-known storytellers of folktales, popularizing stories such as "Cinderella" ("Aschenputtel"), "The Frog Prince" ("Der Froschkönig"), "Hansel and Gretel" ("Hänsel und Gretel"), "Town Musicians of Bremen" ("Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten"), "Little Red Riding Hood" ("Rotkäppchen"), "Rapunzel", "Rumpelstiltskin" ("Rumpelstilzchen"), "Sleeping Beauty" ("Dornröschen"), and "Snow White" ("Schneewittchen"). Their first collection of folktales, Children's and Household Tales (Kinder- und Hausmärchen ), was first published in 1812.(Submitted on January 3, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.)
4. Marker detail: Parents of the Brothers Grimm, Dorothea Zimmer and Philipp Wilhelm Grimm
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 2, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 3, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
