What if a building could tell tales of woad and ancient towers? That is Haus 1. It stands as the oldest secular building in Görlitz. Its story is long. It is filled with twists and turns.
Originally, Haus 1 was part of a courtyard. This courtyard served the lord’s castle. Bohemian servants likely managed it back in the 12th century. Some believe it was a noble family’s residence. It even boasted its own tower. Such towers were common for noble families’ yards. It was close to the larger Vogtshof courtyard. A Bohemian Amtmann managed that one.
In the 14th century, Haus 1 transformed. It became a brewery yard. Later, in the 15th century, owners came and went. One notable owner was Görlitz mayor Bartholomäus Eberhard. The property was named after him for a while. In 1425, the city acquired the house from Eberhard’s heirs. At that time, the building had a tower named after Eberhard. It was deconstructed during the Hussite Wars. The Erfurt auxiliary used the courtyard as accommodation. They were under Tiezmann von Weberstedt. The Bohemian nobleman Johann von Michelsberg stayed here for over three months in 1432.
From 1447 to 1529, Haus 1 served a different purpose. It became a school building. However, in 1530, the school moved. It made way for woad storage. This is likely when three more floors were added. Haus 1 reached its current height. Before this, woad was stored and sold in private homes. An old inscription was walled in on the north gable. It read “Nil actum creades, cum quid restabit agendum 1479.” This remembered a severe fire caused by lightning. In 1578, the wall dormers were removed. This flattened the roof.
Haus 1 gained another name: Renthaus. This came from its use as a warehouse. The bailiwick stored its pension here. Until 1732, the bailiff stored his grain here.
From 1897 to 1907, the building housed the professional fire service of Görlitz. Later, they relocated.
During renovations in 1908, stonemason’s marks were found. It suggested Haus 1 was a stone hut. Workers on the parish church of St. Peter and Paul used it.
The historic gables were restored in 1936. This was based on a woodcut from 1565. After German Reunification, efforts began to refurbish the building. The wall dormers were also reconstructed. They used the same woodcut as a reference.
From 1992, the German Foundation for Monument Protection used Haus 1 as a training center. It focused on craftsmanship and monument preservation. Due to funding issues, the courses ended in 2016. It was once an exemplary educational center. It qualified craftsmen for preserving European building heritage. The Council of Europe highlighted this. As of March 2021, the building was unused. Haus 1 stands as a testament to Görlitz’s rich history. It has witnessed centuries of change. It has adapted to many roles.