Steipe, Gothic reception building at Main Market, Trier, Germany
The Steipe is a Gothic reception building at the Main Market in Trier that rises four stories high, featuring pointed arch arcades on the ground level, a crenellated crown, and a steep hipped roof. Located at the intersection of Fleischstrasse and Dietrichstrasse, it stands as a central landmark that shapes the character of this historic square.
Built around 1430, the structure originally served as a festival venue for the city's citizens. It was completely destroyed in December 1944 during World War II and then reconstructed between 1968 and 1970 to restore its medieval character.
Statues of Trier's patron saints James, Helena, Peter, and Paul stand between the ground floor arcades, while two armored knights occupy the first floor above them. These sculptures reflect the building's role as a center of civic and religious life in the city.
The building sits in a central location on the Main Market, making it easily accessible and walkable from most parts of the old town. The Ratskeller Zur Steipe restaurant occupies the ground floor, providing visitors with a convenient place to rest and enjoy a meal while taking in the historic surroundings.
The quadratic stair tower on the northwest side is the only original element that survived the destruction of World War II. This surviving piece of masonry directly connects visitors to the medieval history of the site.
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