Hermann Giesler

Hermann Giesler (April 2 1898, Siegen - January 20, 1987, Düsseldorf) was a German architect during the Nazi era, one of the two architects most favored and rewarded by Adolf Hitler (the other being Albert Speer).

Hermann Giesler completed his architectural study at the Academy for Applied Arts in Munich. Starting from 1930 he worked as an independent architect. In 1933 he became master of building of districts in Sonthofen and 1937, became a professor.

Up to 1938 he designed the "Ordensburg" in Sonthofen, planned Gau Forums in Weimar and Augsburg, And the "university" for the NSDAP at Chiemsee. Also, Giesler refurbished different buildings (such as the "Hotel of the Elephant" in Weimar). In addition, he was commissioned to build Hitler's house in Munich.

In 1938 he was ordered by Hitler to the "General Building Inspector" for the reorganization of the city of Munich. Later he became also a director in the Organisation Todt, then one of the directors of the Group of Works of VI (Bavaria, Donaugaue).

Starting from 1941, after fellow architect Roderich Fick fell out of political favor, Giesler was entrusted by Hitler with the reorganization of the entire city of Linz. Starting from 1942 he worked on plans and a large model for the Danube Development of the Banks, starting from 1944, also worked on designs for the cultural center, which Hitler regarded with particular interest. Throughout the war, Giesler and Speer had several heated arguments about architectural styles.

After the war, Giesler wrote "Ein anderer Hitler" (Another Hitler), a personal memoir about his relationship with the dictator.