Roundtable Discussion: “The Former University Building, Building ZIII—Exploring Its Architectural History with Eyewitnesses”

Zittau: The historic square in front of the former “Water Gate” of Zittau’s 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 by Charles IV in 1361.

The construction of this building brought to light the foundation walls of the Kaiserhaus, which had once been built in the immediate vicinity of the medieval Pfortmühle. Its stones had been removed in the 16th century and used for Zittau’s “Salzhaus.” So the legend goes. The experts’ opinions were to become clear during the discussion.

Unfortunately, during the foundation work for the university’s former administration building in 1971, the massive foundations of the Kaiserhaus were largely 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 university building at that time will also be discussed during the roundtable. Ralf Ulbrich, the university’s Head of Division of Technology and Building Management, is the best person 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, though by no means the only one…

There will also be a discussion about the future of this historic square (which is home to what is likely Zittau’s oldest tree, an ancient plane tree).

Zittau’s mayor, Thomas Zenker, has confirmed his attendance. The university’s Rector-elect, Prof. Alexander Kratzsch, will also be present, as will the director of the Zittau Municipal Museums, Dr. Peter Knüvener, and Dr. Thomas Westphalen from the State Office of Archaeology.
University staff member Dr. Wolfgang Menzel has conducted extensive research over the past few years on the history of this historic campus. He will moderate the panel discussion.

Admission to this public event is free (4:15 p.m., Building ZIV, Lecture Hall, 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 imperial family 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 cornerstone for the university building.