Station: [12] Imperial coronations

During the festivities on the occasion of an Imperial coronation, an ox grill was erected on the Römerberg. A stuffed ox was placed on a spit and grilled ready for the coronation meal in the Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall). After the freshly crowned Emperor had taken the very first bite of the ox, the stuffed ox was then distributed among the people. The guilds were forever fighting to bag the ox’s head. In particular the butchers’ apprentices and the draymen, who transported barrels of wine or beer, were notorious in the battle for this trophy. The election and coronation festivities are presented in the neighbouring section on “The Emperor makers” by means of other outstanding exhibits.