The Half Timbered Buildings of Old Brunswick.

A house rebuilt in 1974, from an original of 1644.

After spending yesterday afternoon in the park listening to music, drinking beer and eating Currywurst, I had  a quiet day today!   Fortunately  tennis from Paris was on "Eurosport"  most of the day, and   love watching tennis.  However by mid afternoon I had to force myself away from the box, and go out for a walk.   Once again it has been very warm, so that was a good excuse to be extremely idle.   

It is difficult to know where to  begin to describe these interesting wood carved decorations on the half timbered buildings.  I've selected a few of the most interesting,  although there is  another part of Braunschweig I need to revisit, one largely untouched by the war, and where some original buildings still stand.   Above  is the detail on a house in the Magniviertal, with an inscription in old German script across a beam.   A tooth frieze is over the windows, and a line of rope and pearl pattern above that.  Blue and brown grotesques decorate the triangular shapes above the beam.   I would like to live here! 

Yellow grotesques in triangles, with a diamond frieze below, and oval patterns underneath.  These designs problably have a meaning.

A step frieze across the lower beam and chain frieze above, with decorated consoles. (end beams)  A green hatch door can be seen top left, with a rope and pearl pattern around the doorway and windows.

A diamond band across the beam with consoles decorated in green with tan coloured spots.  I cannot find a reference to the name of the pattern underneath the beam.  All the patterns are repeated irregularly.  I will post more information about the older buildings in another blog.