Building history explorations with contemporary witnesses

The historic square in front of the former “Water Gate” of the Zittau city wall will be the focus of a panel discussion on January 22, 2020.

Until 2018, the administrative building of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences stood here. It had some interesting predecessors. Starting with the “Kaiserhaus” built in 1361 by Charles IV. Admission to this public event is free (4:15 p.m., Building ZIV, lecture hall at Theodor-Körner-Allee 8, 02763 Zittau).

It’s well worth a visit! You’ll also have the chance to see historical artifacts on display, some of which are being shown to the public for the first time. Their connection to the “Kaiserhaus” will be discussed and evaluated by the experts in attendance. Another highlight is sure to be the opening of a hermetically sealed “time capsule” that was buried in 1971 during the laying of the foundation stone for the university building.

The construction of this building brought to light the foundation walls of the Kaiserhaus, which had once stood in the immediate vicinity of the medieval Pfortmühle. Its stones had been removed in the 16th century and used for Zittau’s “Salzhaus.” The demolition of the Kaiserhaus in 1516 and the use of its stones for the Salzhaus are attested by historical records. There is no doubt about this. During the panel discussion, the experts will explore the question of whether the stone finds discovered during the renovation of the Salzhaus (1998–2001) can be dated so that they can be attributed to the construction of the Zittau Kaiserhaus. These stone finds will be presented to the public for the first time at the event. Dr. Knüvener has examined the question of dating the stone finds, and Dr. Westphalen, as an archaeologist, will explain how we can clarify the nature of what are believed to be the foundation remains of the Zittau Imperial Palace.

There will also be a discussion on the future of this historic square (which is home to an ancient plane tree—probably the oldest tree in Zittau). Zittau’s mayor, Thomas Zenker, has confirmed his attendance. The university’s designated Rector, Prof. Alexander Kratzsch, will also be present. Both will present their visions for the future design of this historically significant square—from the university’s perspective and from the city’s perspective, respectively. Also appearing will be Dr. Peter Knüvener, director of the Zittau Municipal Museums, and Dr. Thomas Westphalen from the State Office for Archaeology. University staff member Dr. Wolfgang Menzel has conducted extensive research in recent years on the history of this site steeped in tradition. He will moderate the panel discussion.

Unfortunately, during the foundation work for the university’s former administration building in 1971, most of the massive foundations of the Kaiserhaus (photo) were removed. However, the wall remnants running along Theodor-Körner-Allee were not affected by this, as they lay outside the construction site at that time. Of course, the use of the former university building will also be discussed during the panel discussion. Ralf Ulbrich, the university’s Head of Division of Technology and Building Management, is well-positioned to comment on this.

Fortunately, administrative staff member Luisa Görtz rediscovered the building’s cornerstone in the summer of 2017. As a result, both the cornerstone and the “time capsule”—which had been embedded in the wall since the cornerstone-laying ceremony on October 25, 1971—could be salvaged in time before demolition. Its opening is certainly a highlight of this interesting event, but by no means the only one.