They have an idiosyncratic look, those Upper Lusatian half-timbered houses. At first sight wooden arches attract one’s attention. They surround the block cabin appropriately and carry usually the weight of the upper storey or the roof.

The Upper Lusatian half-timbered house combines two types of folk architecture: the Slavic log construction and the Franconian framework. New is the log framing which is placed on the gable section and the living zone next to the eave.

The term Upper Lusatian half-timbered house – in German “Umgebindehaus” is derived from the German word “Umbinden” and means: a structure around something. It was introduced in 1897 by the Saxon researcher O. Gruner who was concentrating on different building types. Experts characterise it as an at least two-sided supporting frame. There are several theories about its history of origin.

The Upper Lusatian half-timbered house was not developed by master builders but by ordinary craftsmen. Within the course of 400 years, those skilful construction workers have kept on advancing this ingenious construction and adapted it to new standards. For that reason you can find many different Upper Lusatian half-timbered houses today: large ones, small ones, narrow ones and wide ones. Each building is very unique and mostly distinctive due to its virtuoso ornamentations. (JG)

Fotogallery: Pretty Upper Lusatian Half-timbred Houses