A Short History of the House @museum.de

M: We're in the oldest house in the town of Bönnigheim. It's called "Steinhaus" – Stone House and was built in 1296, probably as a dwelling that was part of a citadel. It's a grand building with two open hearths, but it seems they were never actually used. At least, no traces of ash or soot were found.

F: So it's likely that nobody ever actually lived in the Stone House. This three-part Gothic window has survived from the time the house was built. It was restored in 2008 thanks to a donation.

M: The glass case, bottom right, contains a section of a formidable wooden beam. It was part of the building's roof truss. An analysis has shown that the tree from which it was made was felled in 1295. The triangular notches are nicknamed “Flößeraugen" – rafters' eyes. They tell us where the tree originally came from. It was felled in the Black Forest, was probably floated to Bietigheim as part of a raft and then brought to Bönnigheim. That makes it one of the oldest chunks of timber in Baden-Württemberg known to have been part of a traditional raft.

F: Before we move on, let's take a look at the three small tiles on the left.

M: At times, the Stone House was used as a barn and fruit store. To keep away mice and other vermin, the floor was covered in small tiles like these.

F: Do you recognise the symbols on the tiles?

M: They are signs meant to defend against evil spirits. There's the imprint of a child's hand, a cat's paw prints, and a protective cross of St Andrew.