crumblingbiscuit logo crumblingbiscuit

Rhenish Stoneware 3

www.zahr.koeln/2025/11/1…

In that post I visited Frechen to look at the Keramion Museum, follow the Töpferpfad and see, whatever there still is to see. I did, however, manage to miss two excavated kilns.

So, today I went back.

Here is a description of the kilns Töpferhof in der Broichgasse (in German)

A large, metallic, pyramid-shaped skylight structure with large windows is embedded in a brick base, surrounded by a few plaques and light snow on the ground.

The kilns are under this pyramid and since all the windows were covered with raindrops, I couldn’t photograph the inside.

Here, at least, are the signage at the site.

An informational sign provides details about historical pottery kilns, featuring diagrams and text in German.

A weathered outdoor sign displays an old photograph and descriptive text, set against a backdrop of residential houses and leaf-strewn ground.

A detailed sign describes an earthenware kiln with a diagram and German text explaining its dimensions and operation.

The sign describes the production of earthenware, including details about kiln construction and the firing process.

An informative sign details a ceramic oven and its historical significance, accompanied by an image of a decorative ceramic plate.

A descriptive sign explains the structure and function of a Kannenofen, highlighting its sloped firing chamber and design features in German.

An informational plaque describes a Kannenofen pottery kiln, featuring an image of a ceramic pot.

A descriptive plaque about a pottery kiln used for stoneware production is displayed with an image of a decorative ceramic jug.

On my Rhenish Stoneware map the next stops should be in Badorf and Pingsdorf, both close to Brühl.

A hand-drawn map labeled Rheinisches Steinzeug features the Rhine various cities like Cologne and Siegburg, and dots marking locations such as Raeren, Frechen, and Höhr-Grenzhausen.

Rhenish Stoneware 2

Yesterday I visited the Stadtmuseum Siegburg to pick up on the exploration of Rhenish Stoneware, one of the successful trading goods of medieval Cologne, as previously mentioned here.

Because I wasn’t awfully keen on a 80 km plus bike ride in the winter with snow on the forecast we went by car and also cleared some errands on the way to and from Siegburg.

A simple, hand-drawn map illustrates the Rhine River with marked locations: Cologne and Siegburg and the Rivers Rhine and Sieg

For background on Siegburgs history, here is Wikipedia on the city.

Unfortunately photographing was not allowed, so only two pictures.

A collection of various ancient clay pottery pieces, including jugs and pots, is displayed. Found at Aulgasse, excavated 1962

More information on Siegburger Steinzeug, German only, Wikipedia. Siegburg produced two qualities of stoneware, one for domestic consumption and traded all over the surrounding area and the Bergische Land, Wikipedia. And then there was the “good stuff” which was traded from Cologne. Cologne traders came per boat up the Rhine and the Sieg to Siegburg to collect the stoneware, also Siegburg traders brought it to the market in Cologne. From there it went all over the Baltics, Scandinavia, Netherlands and England.

And now for some gruesomeness, the top of Siegburgs pillory:

Stone sculpture of a solemn face, illuminated with dramatic lighting, is the top of the medieval city pillory.

Location: Siegburg
Height: 64,8
Coordinates: 50,8 - 7,21
Weather: 6 °C and cloudy #checkin

I made Ciabatta, looks great, just a bit rustic. 82% hydration, that’s the max I’ve done (on purpose) so far.

Three freshly baked loaves of ciabatta are cooling on a wire rack.

#ciabatta #bread #brot #sourdough #LievitoMadre #Sauerteig

Location: Pulheim
Height: 46,2
Coordinates: 51,02 - 6,82
Weather: 3 °C and mostly sunny #checkin

Location: Düsseldorf
Height: 32,1
Coordinates: 51,24 - 6,77
Weather: 1 °C and partly cloudy #checkin

So, made another focaccia this time with some leftover raclette cheese and a pear.

The dough is a bit on the liquid side, but it is well fermented.

Sliced pear and raclette cheese are arranged on a focaccia dough in a baking tray.

A rectangular focaccia topped with pear and melted cheese sits on a baking tray.

#focaccia #bread #brot #sourdough #LievitoMadre #Sauerteig

‘Neujahrsvorsatz’ #FotoVorschlag

A hand-drawn map labeled Rheinisches Steinzeug features the Rhine various cities like Cologne and Siegburg, and dots marking locations such as Raeren, Frechen, and Höhr-Grenzhausen.

Nächste Tour Siegburg, muss nur etwas wärmer werden.

#photography #fotografie #fahrrad