Adam-und-Eva-Haus, Timber-framed heritage house in Hathumarstraße, Paderborn, Germany.
Adam-und-Eva-Haus is a three-story timber-framed building in Paderborn featuring intricate carved friezes depicting biblical scenes. The wooden ornamentations display the skilled craftsmanship characteristic of the Weser Renaissance period.
Merchant Moller commissioned the building in 1571 during a period when Paderborn's economy was expanding and prosperous merchants displayed their success through impressive residences. The structure represents this era of growth and wealth in the city.
The house takes its name from the carved Adam and Eva scenes on its ornamental friezes, which served as a public display of the owner's wealth and faith. Religious imagery on merchant homes was a common way to demonstrate both prosperity and piety in that era.
The building sits on Hathumarstraße and now functions as part of the Paderborn City Library, making it accessible during regular business hours. Visitors can admire the exterior carvings and explore the interior as part of their library visit.
Unusual for residential buildings of that era is the combination of biblical narrative scenes with decorative architectural elements rather than simple religious text. The stories were carved as detailed visual illustrations rather than written inscriptions.
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