History of the Brömsehauses
1406–1426: Construction and medieval use
The Brömsehaus was built between 1406 and 1426, making it one of the oldest town houses in Lüneburg. It initially served as a merchant's house, where lively trade was conducted. The large hallway was even accessible to horse-drawn carts – an indication of the economic importance of the house in the Middle Ages.
Bis 1579 Patrizierfamilie Brömse
The house was named after Dietrich Brömse, the master of the salt works, whose portrait still adorns the entrance hall today. Until 1579, the house was owned by the Brömse patrician family.
1622–1637: Kaspar Kichler as resident
During this period, the artist Kaspar Kichler lived in the Brömsehaus. He is credited with creating the ornate stucco ceiling, which depicts biblical motifs in eleven panels and can still be admired today in the ‘Stube’ (parlour). In addition, the passageway to the south of the house was built over in 1637.
From the 17th century onwards: renovations and new owners
After the Brömse family moved out, the house changed hands several times. This period was characterised by numerous alterations, such as the replacement of the original stepped gable with a pointed gable. Parts of the neighbouring Heiligenthal monastery, such as three pointed arches, have been preserved.
1937 & 1938: Saved from demolition
In 1937, the Brömsehaus was in a state of serious disrepair, and a decision had already been made to demolish it. However, the city archivist at the time, Wilhelm Reinecke, initiated a successful fundraising campaign to save the building. As part of this campaign, it was restored, the museum association took over ownership, and the so-called ‘honour window’ with the names of the donors was created. For cost reasons, the seven tiers of the main gable and the three tiers of the side gable had to be demolished, resulting in the asymmetrical gable facing the street that can be seen today. The richly decorated courtyard gable – a three-tiered gable – remained unchanged. In the same year, the 17th-century vine painting on the hall ceiling was restored and supplemented by Professor Arthur Illies.
1945: Used as accommodation for refugees
In 1937, the Brömsehaus was in a state of serious disrepair, and a decision had already been made to demolish it. However, the city archivist at the time, Wilhelm Reinecke, initiated a successful fundraising campaign to save the building. As part of this effort, it was restored, the museum association took over ownership, and the so-called ‘honour window’ with the names of the donors was created.
1973–1983: Move to the Carl-Schirren Society
In 1973, the building was taken over by the Carl-Schirren Society, an association of German Balts, as a tenant. In 1983, it was able to purchase the building thanks to numerous donations.
2005: Transfer to the German-Baltic Cultural Foundation
In 2005, the Brömsehaus was transferred to the German-Baltic Cultural Foundation. Since then, its members have been working on a voluntary basis to preserve the house and maintain the German-Baltic cultural heritage.
2012: Further renovation work
In 2012, the Brömsehaus was extensively renovated with the help of numerous sponsors; the ceiling painting in the hallway and the stucco ceiling in the baroque room were restored and illuminated with a sophisticated lighting concept.
Today:
Today, the Brömsehaus is a lively place of cultural exchange. It can be rented for concerts, exhibitions, readings and academic seminars as well as celebrations and is considered a center of German-Baltic cultural life in Germany and a platform for cross-border encounters between young Europeans, especially from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany and Ukraine.