Magdeburg: The Birthplace of the Famous “Hemispheres” Experiment

Magdeburg (pronounced mag-dee-burg) is a city located in the eastern part of Germany. It is the capital city of the state of Saxony-Anhalt and is known for its beautiful architecture, rich history, and of course, the famous “hemispheres” experiment.

The city was founded in the 9th century and has a long and storied past, which includes being the site of a major battle during the Thirty Years’ War and playing a role in the Protestant Reformation. But enough of that boring history stuff, let’s talk about the real reason Magdeburg is famous - the hemispheres!

The hemispheres experiment took place in Magdeburg in 1654 and involved two large copper spheres, each with a diameter of about 35 centimeters. The spheres were placed together and air was pumped out, creating a vacuum between them. The spheres were then tightly sealed and teams of horses were used to try and pull them apart.

The experiment was famously demonstrated by Otto von Guericke, who was the mayor of Magdeburg at the time. As the story goes, he invited other mayors and city officials to witness the experiment, which caused quite a stir. The horses were unable to separate the spheres, and von Guericke reportedly quipped, “You see, gentlemen, with these two hemispheres, I have taken the whole world captive.”

The experiment became a famous symbol of the power of science and technology and is still remembered today. In fact, there’s even a monument in Magdeburg commemorating the event - a statue of two horses pulling on the spheres.

But Magdeburg isn’t just about hemispheres - the city has plenty of other attractions and activities to offer. There are numerous museums, including the Magdeburg Art Museum and the Cultural History Museum. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to choose from.

So if you’re ever in Germany and looking for a city with a rich history and a famous experiment to boot, be sure to check out Magdeburg. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get the chance to pull on some spheres yourself!