Station: [17] Bricklayers and plasterers

“Some things haven’t changed much since the 16th century. This includes – with a few exceptions – bricklayers‘ work. At least where tools and work processes are concerned. On the Horst construction site they are in charge of building the shell, in other words for the brickwork. They use the bricks provided by Rutger von der Horst’s brick kilns for the wall.

The bricklayers’ work is subsequently ‘dressed’ in the most literal sense – in the castle’s interior, specially hired plasterers are responsible for this job. One of whom is Master Heichrich von Cochem, who is under contract for 1567. He is assigned the task of embellishing numerous rooms with the help of ‘good assistants’, as specified in his contract. Decorating, or rather dressing, the castle with paintings, tapestries and tiles is only possible due to the walls’ smooth finish.”