Reiterhaus

About the museum

The Reiterhaus on the B96 in Neusalza-Spremberg is considered one of the oldest and most picturesque Umgebinde houses (half-timbered houses with an upper-story frame) in Upper Lusatia. The main building was built in the 17th century as a smallholder's house and took on its present form after a renovation in the early 18th century. The side wing added later has its Umgebinde, unusually, on the upper floor. A wooden gallery, St. Andrew's crosses in the half-timbering and the mighty thatched roof characterize its appearance.

The house owes its name to a painted wooden rider figure on the gable of the west wing. The then 20-year-old daughter of the house, Christiane Louise Schniebs, had won it in 1874 at the Ritterstechen (jousting), a fair custom of the region, in Lauba.

As early as 1938 the house was entered in the Saxon monuments list, and a year later the town bought it from the heirs' community. After years as emergency housing it was repaired; a local history museum was set up in the main building. Later renovations renewed the log room and the thatched roof.

The permanent exhibition uses film, panels and objects to explain how Umgebinde houses were built, and with a loom, painted furniture and household goods shows the life of house weavers, craftspeople and smallholders in the 18th and 19th centuries. A separate room is devoted to flax processing. Special exhibitions take place on the upper floor of the Reiter wing.

Highlights

• One of the oldest Umgebinde houses in Upper Lusatia, with a thatched roof
• Wooden rider figure of 1874 on the gable of the west wing
• Exhibition on the construction of Umgebinde houses
• Weavers' room with hand loom and painted furniture
• Room on flax processing

Permanent exhibitions

• Umgebindehäuser der Oberlausitz – Using film, panels and building components, shows step by step the origins, forms and spread of Umgebinde construction.
• Leben und Arbeiten im Umgebindehaus – A loom, painted furniture and household goods convey the everyday life of house weavers, craftspeople and smallholders; a separate room explains flax processing.

Operated by

Stadt Neusalza-Spremberg

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

Directly on the B96, about 200 m before the edge of town toward Zittau.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Small selection of souvenirs: brochures (also in Czech), a coloring book for children, magnets and cut-out sheets of Umgebinde houses.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The house can be used as a backdrop for photo shoots for personal occasions; inquiries through the town administration.

Plan your visit