Page 10 - Guide_EN

and the attic the house is supported by one or two continuous beams. These would usually have a groove carved in them to prevent mice clim- bing up the walls. These are therefore called “mouse beams” but in this farmhouse they are not present. There is a balcony on the west and south sides of the first floor. On the east there is a storage area for the shingles, poles and other wooden items that needed to be protected from the prevailing weather. The life-size painted Crucifix was donated from the now demolished farm “Bachinghof”. Below the gable is the upper balcony. The workshop was originally loca- ted up here but can now be found in the lower barn. The windows are small, on the one hand because glass was so expen- sive, on the other hand to keep the cold out during the harsh winter months. The beams on either side of the doors in the house allowed the wooden walls to contract as they dried, without breaking the doors or windows. These beams are normally decoratively carved or artistically painted. The heavy solid wooded doors are held in place by iron hinges. The locks on the doors show the financial status of the family and are often very decorative with intricate keys. You will see a few examples of these on the tour. The animal shed and the barn are constructed from round beams which are connected by wooded dowels or pegs. The gaps between the beams allowed fresh air to flow through the building to air the hay. Nails and other ironware were made by hand and as a result were very expensive so therefore unattainable. For this reason the house was skill- fully constructed without the use of nails. 8