Saaleck House
The Saaleck house is a former Cologne town house that dates back to the Middle Ages. It is on the corner of the historic streets “Unter Taschenmacher” and “Am Hof” in the center of Cologne city center.
history
The two-part name with its basic word “corner” and the defining word “hall” preserves the ancient archbishop's palace, also called hall, which once stood in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral courtyard.
House of the stonemason Theodoric
A house built here is first mentioned in connection with a stonemason Theodoric around 1281, when it was acquired by him. It can be assumed that he was one of the many craftsmen who worked on the cathedral construction site a few meters away. A little later, in 1283, the name "saileckin" (salecken) appears in documents for the house of the stonemason. From this plural term, historians infer a two-part property.
Change to a patrician house
In the years that followed, changing names appeared for the property: “salecken”, “salecgin”, “salecgen”, “salegge” and “sallecken”. In its place, a magnificent new building in late Gothic style with three corner control rooms was built around 1461 . Characteristic are its typical cross-frame windows and corner wardrobes, similar to the style of the Cologne Gürzenich , as well as the octagonal turrets on the corners of the house, which originally had pointed roofs.
The history of the building, with various structural changes and changing owners, can be traced back to the present day.
Destruction and rebuilding
Substantial change was only brought about after around 500 years by the almost complete destruction by bombing in World War II, the house facades were badly damaged and the inside was completely burned out. The house was completely rebuilt in the post-war period using the remaining walls and the rubble found in the area.
Todays use
In the 1970s the building was used by the Cologne City Museum for various exhibitions; today the building houses the “Artothek” of the city of Cologne. Here, like in a public library, works of art, paintings, sculptures etc. can be borrowed for affordable fees.
The remaining building areas have been vacant since March 2005. In March 2007, the city of Cologne offered the building for sale in a public application process. This properly completed procedure was then withdrawn. Politically, it was considered desirable to switch to leasehold. After a further 3 years, the initial prospect was able to purchase the property in August 2010. House Saaleck was renovated from 2010 to 2014 by this Cologne resident with a long family tradition.
The aim of the new owner is for Haus Saaleck to be recognizable again as a lively Cologne town house at this prominent location in the Cologne cityscape. In December 2013, the Rhenish Association for Monument Preservation and Landscape Protection named Haus Saaleck Monument of the Month and recognized the efforts made in monument preservation.
literature
- Adam Wrede: Neuer kölnischer Sprachschatz , third volume S - Z p. 1., Greven Verlag, Cologne, 9th edition 1984, ISBN 3-7743-0155-7
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Anselm Weyer: "Houses with History" Insights into the Gothic town house "Saaleck" in the city center. In: Kölnische Rundschau . July 15, 2020, accessed July 29, 2020 .
Coordinates: 50 ° 56 ′ 23 " N , 6 ° 57 ′ 33.8" E