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All Germany Goslar Brusttuch House

Brusttuch House

A peculiar trapezoidal building covered with wonderful humorous reliefs.

Goslar, Germany

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ahvenas
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CAPTION
Brusttuch House   Michael aus Halle/cc by-sa 3.0
Brusttuch House   Adam Kumiszcza/cc by-sa 4.0
Butter Hannah.   Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
Naked lady riding a goat backwards.   Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
Brusttuch House   Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
Brusttuch House   Hajotthu/cc by-sa 3.0
Side view of the exterior showing reliefs.   Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
  Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
Close-up of a carving.   Holger Uwe Schmitt/cc by-sa 4.0
Detail of reliefs.   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
The Brusttuch in 1908.   public domain
Brusttuch House   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of reliefs.   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Detail of reliefs.   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
  ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
  ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Built in 1521, this large trapezoid-shaped building is one of the most beautiful upper-class houses in Goslar, Germany. The home was designed with hardly any right angles, and this strange limitation gave the roof its recognizable peculiar shape.

The unique shape and looming roof are not the only things that stand out about this architectural gem. The upper timber frames are decorated with groups of reliefs and carved sculptures often depicting comical scenes, such as the lady riding a goat backwards in the nude.

There are figures from ancient mythology, your usual angels and devils, as well as other symbolic animals. One of the most locally famous reliefs is "Butter Hannah," which shows a young maid churning butter with one hand and lifting her skirt with another hand as if to scratch an itch, revealing one cheek of her derriere. 

The reliefs cover the exterior of the house (which has since been converted to a hotel) to the enjoyment of all who pass by.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Architecture Art Design

Know Before You Go

Today the house is used as a hotel and restaurant. The reliefs are outside and you can view them freely.

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ahvenas

Edited By

Meg

  • Meg

Published

November 8, 2018

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Brusttuch House
Hoher Weg 1
Goslar
Germany
51.90552, 10.427018
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