Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace)

TownMuseum, CostumeMuseum, ArchaeologicalMuseum of Upper Franconia and the new AdventureMuseum “Red Wall”

 

 

First of all, the so called Imperial Palace in Forchheim (‘Kaiserpfalz’) is technically not an ‘Imperial’ Palace. Medieval documents recorded the place as a frequent residence of German emperors and kings and strengthened the inappropriate idea of an ‘Imperial’ Palace. But in fact, the house originally was built in the 14^thcentury by order of the bishop of Bamberg, Lambert von Brunn, to serve as an Episcopal secondary residence. The building itself and the newly developed museums inside represent the long history of Upper Franconia.

 

Before accommodating the museums, the building suffered various setbacks. In course of the secularization, the bishop of Bamberghad to move out in 1803 and the State of Bavariadecided to use the building for several purposes in the upcoming decades: as a bursary, as a tobacco-storehouse, as flats and as a police station. Although constantly used, rumours occurred in the early 20^thcentury that the Palace was to be broken down. The residents of Forchheim were shocked. They tried to preserve the building and, therefore, founded the ‘Pfalzmuseum’ in 1911. Later, in 1988, the city of Forchheimtook on responsibility for the ‘Kaiserpfalz’ and became property owner of the facilities. With great financial support from public sector entities and private investors this ‘Monumentof National Treasure’ was restored and rebuilt as a museum and cultural centre. Take a peek through the keyhole and take a look at the extraordinary treasures of our history!

 

Stories about Paintings

(east wing, ground floor, first & second floor)

 

Numerous medieval mural paintings are located in the east wing of the building. For example, one of them shows an illustration of King David which was painted in the 14^thcentury. Bishop Lambert von Brunn decided to decorate the building with contemporary art and employed Bohemian artists for the execution of the paintings. Because the bishop temporarily worked as chancellor of the Bohemian king, he had close connections to Pragueand had the paintings realized in currentstyle. Still today, you can see the precision and the detail that give distinction to the work of the artists. Not only did they want to decorate the walls with religious, allegorical and mundane motifs, but also did they try to teach the observer and tell stories.

The inside of the Episcopal residence was painted again in the 16^thcentury. This time, the court painter Jakob Ziegler from Bambergadded depictions of Old Testament scenes and contemporary pictures of illusionistic architecture.

Why do these unique mural paintings which are highly significant for southern German art still exist? How did these impressive pictures manage lasting until today?

In the 17^thcentury the paintings fell into oblivion, when the walls were plastered again. By accident, someone rediscovered the illustrations in the 19^thcentury and the paintings were restored. Since 2000, additional restoration and purgation have made the artwork persistent. Step inside and be enthralled by a 600-years-old style of painting!

 

 

Stories about Costumes

(south wing, first floor)

 

Old costumes?! Perfect for a museum! Nobody wears them anymore anyway…Not quite. Even today, one might see women in traditional costumes walking through Forchheim from time to time. Those women live in the urban hinterland of Forchheim and visit the city for frequent shopping. But why do people still wear costumes every day and not just at traditional costume parades? Take a walk through the exhibition and see for yourself! The CostumeMuseumis proud to present many traditional costumes and to enlighten the history of their owners. Here, our visitors will find many different examples of costumes worn on holidays, on workdays or even at funerals; they reflect some of the pastimes of Franconian families. The origins of producing and selling the dresses are displayed as well as their dispersal.

 

 

Stories about a Town

(east wing, third floor)

 

Boring documents inside of dusty showcases? Not with us! We will show you the town history of Forchheim without listing just facts. You will experience the daily lives of ordinary people in nine fascinating stages:

Immerse yourself in the town history via multimedia, models, numerous original exhibits or complete workshops! Explore history to understand the presence! Do not miss the opportunity!

 

Stories about Discoveries

(east wing, first & second floor)

 

Have you ever wanted to know how it feels to hold a Celtic sword in your own hands? Have you ever asked yourself how people talked in Bamberg, when the city’s first cathedral was built a thousand of years ago? Or can you imagine why a well-preserved collection of leather shoes made in the Middle Ages were thrown into a well? If you want to find out, you should visit the Archaeological Museumof Upper Franconia.

Inside, visitors will see ancient hallmarks of regional history covering episodes form the Old Stone Age to the Modern Times on two floors; Archaeological findings provide a vivid insight into past communities of settlements and tribes.

On the first floor you will meet early pioneers who explored the surrounding landscape and its stories: Long time ago in the Glacial Age, itinerant hunters used many caves for shelter; Mountain rocks served as spiritual places for peasants. Spectacular hoards and glamorous grave goods, which were found in local burial mounds, are significant of power and trade during Bronze Age and Iron Age. Furthermore, two impressive natural monuments, the ‘Ehrenbürg’ near Forchheim and the ‘Staffelberg’ near Lichtenfels, are presented in individual rooms.

The second floor evokes the living situations from the beginning of early Germanic settlement to the emergence of industrialisation. Demonstrating all aspects of religious life in the first millennium the exhibition includes heathen animal sacrifices from the Roman Age, evidence of early Christianisation of Franks and Slavs, and a reconstruction of the first cathedral of Bamberg. Castles, towns and monasteries shaped the cultivation in the Late Middle Ages. Take a look at buried treasures, the legacy of knights and tableware of the Renaissance! Oremining near ‘Kupferberg’, outlying glass factories of the ‘Fichtelgebirge’ and findings from a porcelain factory will complete your journey and will bring you back to the recent past of Upper Franconia.

 

Stories about a fortress

The new AdventureMuseum “Red Wall”, Wallstraße 19)

 

The year is 1634. The Prince-Bishopric of Bambergand its Fortress Forchheim got in with the Thirty Years War. The rumble of Swedish cannons terrified Forchheim’s residents. However, they bid defiance to the offenders…

 

Would you like to know, how the soldiers felt during siege and what inhabitants did experience? Hear the thunder of cannons and experience the daily routine at war! Visit the new AdventureMuseum“Red Wall” and be close to the action!

 

You will learn the history of Forchheim’s fortress at an authentic and historical setting which was the former casemate of the 16^thcentury, preserved in original condition. The fortress was the only baroque system in Southern Germany. It served as a stronghold for the Prince-Bishopric of Bambergand was never occupied after 1553. What happened behind the walls during heavy wars? What were the features of the fortress? How did a well or balistraria work?

 

Take a look at stones engraved with coat of arms that show you the 200-years-old history of the fortress. Here you learn about expansion of fortresses, different styles of fortification and progressive weapons technology.

The AdventureMuseumwill win you over with beautiful settings, boards and audio stories of historic persons. Especially families will enjoy the playful and educational visit.