The Site

Mühlhausen, located in Thuringia, central Germany, is a town renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and its role in major historical events. Once one of the most powerful Free Imperial Cities of the Holy Roman Empire, Mühlhausen flourished as a thriving commercial and religious centre during the Middle Ages. The town’s imposing city walls, which still encircle much of its historic centre, reflect its strategic and economic importance.

Mühlhausen is also closely associated with the German Peasants' War (1524 – 1525) and Thomas Müntzer, a radical reformer who played a leading role in the uprising. Additionally, it is recognised for its musical heritage, being home to Johann Sebastian Bach, who worked in the city for a period. Today, Mühlhausen boasts an outstanding ensemble of medieval churches, well-preserved half-timbered buildings, and a vibrant historical identity, making it a landmark of cultural heritage in Thuringia.

In the Mühlhausen suburb of St. Petri, a historically important quarter beyond the medieval city walls, a group of remarkably original half-timbered buildings has been preserved in a prominent corner location. This area was historically home to artisans and labourers linked to stone and mortar trades, such as lime burners, stonemasons, and tile makers, who played a crucial role in the town’s construction economy.

The ensemble consists of four single room houses, each constructed at different periods, situated on three contiguous plots now forming a protected historical courtyard. The corner house, identified through dendrochronological analysis as dating back to the 1350s, is the oldest structure in the group, with over 600 years of continuous history. This building retains early carpentry techniques, including sword tenon joints and a continuous rail beam, methods no longer in use in later timber construction.

This ensemble of buildings is being developed as a local museum offering a unique perspective on urban working-class life in the 17th century. The ensemble will be transformed into a museum-like setting, providing insight into the living conditions of ordinary townspeople while preserving the architectural authenticity of the structures.

The conservation interventions will focus on restoring original spatial configurations, including historic fireplaces, which were once central to these modest homes. The site will intentionally exclude modern technical installations, allowing visitors to experience an authentic representation of urban life before the advent of modern utilities and infrastructure.

The "Zurück in die Mitte" (Back to the Centre) Association will take over the future management of the site, ensuring its long-term accessibility while organising guided tours for heritage enthusiasts and specialised interest groups. Dedicated to revitalising the historic urban centre of Mühlhausen rather than focusing on peripheral development, the association works to preserve and promote the cultural significance of heritage, revitalising public engagement and appreciation. Through the creation of this new museum space within the historic area of the city, the association aims to safeguard a rare and valuable example of early urban vernacular architecture, encouraging appreciation for the social history of medieval and early modern Mühlhausen.

The Training Course

The European Heritage Training Course will engage the participants with the conservation and restoration of medieval vernacular architecture, focusing on the historically accurate use of traditional materials and techniques. The site, comprising a rare ensemble of medieval half-timbered buildings, is in the early stages of its conservation journey, with ongoing structural consolidation and conservation measures.

A central aspect of the conservation work will be the preparation and application of clay mortar, a historically appropriate material used for wall rendering, stone setting, and floor construction in buildings of this period. Unlike later structures that employed lime mortar, the buildings originally relied on clay-based mortars, and their conservation requires a precise understanding of their material properties, application methods, and long-term behaviour. The participants will engage in mixing and applying clay mortar, acquiring hands-on experience in a technique essential to pre-modern construction.

In addition to the work with clay, conservation measures will include the extraction and recovery of historic building materials, such as natural stone and timber, which are planned to be carefully processed and reintegrated into the structure. This process will involve traditional masonry and carpentry techniques, ensuring that the restoration respects the original construction principles. Given the confined spaces and structural constraints of the historic buildings, the work will require precision, careful material handling, and adaptability to historic construction methods.

The conservation tasks will be led and supervised by an experienced master stonemason specialising in traditional masonry techniques, who will provide technical instruction and theoretical insights into the historical significance of the materials, their application, and related conservation challenges.

The training course will be complemented by a structured educational programme, offering participants a broader historical and architectural context for their work. Guided visits to heritage sites in the town and the region will provide insights into the historical events that marked the region, into medieval construction techniques, and the evolution of half-timbered architecture in Thuringia.

An important component of the programme will be the participants' presentations, which will encourage intercultural exchange and professional dialogue. The topic will be traditional clay techniques in vernacular architecture. Participants will explore how historic masonry methods, materials, and craftsmanship have shaped the built heritage of their respective countries, comparing these practices with the clay-based construction techniques used at the medieval ensemble in Mühlhausen.

The European Heritage Training Course will contribute to the safeguarding of a rare medieval architectural ensemble through the combunation of practical conservation work, expert-led training, and academic discussions, as well as to the revival and continued transmission of historic craftsmanship techniques. The training course aims to reinforce the importance of material authenticity and sustainability in heritage conservation, ensuring that the knowledge of traditional building methods remains relevant for future conservation efforts.

The training course will take place from September 14th to September 25th, 2025, and is organised by European Heritage Volunteers.