Exhibit of European significance arrives: large crossbow for new castle museum

The exhibit is a large windlass crossbow, also known as a ballista, dating from the mid-14th century. Research has dated the oak wood to 1334/35. With a length of around 2.78 metres and a weight of approximately 150 kilograms, the crossbow is considered to be the only surviving example of its kind in Europe and a monument of European significance.

The exhibit is displayed in an exhibition area that focuses on the conflicts of the 14th century – including the conflicts between the town of Quedlinburg, the Bishop of Halberstadt and the Counts of Regenstein. Whether the ballista once came to Quedlinburg as a trophy or originated from the town's arsenal cannot be conclusively determined today. However, its military significance is undisputed: large-scale windlass crossbows were considered modern defence technology at the time and were used for defence from elevated positions. The bow, which is no longer preserved, had an estimated span of about 3.50 metres. The bolts fired reached a calculated length of about 1.70 metres, and the crossbow was cocked mechanically using a winch.

"It's a special moment when objects finally find their place in the exhibition," says Uta Siebrecht, director of Quedlinburg's municipal museums and archives.

For structural reasons, the exhibit was installed at an early stage of the exhibition's construction. The platform specially designed for the ballista and the custom-made mountings mean that it cannot be moved at a later date. The brackets were prefabricated to fit perfectly by the Leipzig-based company Fißler & Kollegen, which is responsible for the exhibit installation, and integrated into the platform, which is still under construction, in collaboration with the carpenter. The exhibition furniture follows a design concept developed specifically for each room by the Space4 office and combines pollutant-free wooden structures with metallic surfaces.

The exhibition area is complemented by additional objects, images and a functional model that illustrates the technical capabilities of this medieval weapon. In a deliberately atmospheric room, the large crossbow marks the beginning of a central chapter of the exhibition.

The arrival of the first exhibit marks another milestone on the road to reopening the Stiftsberg Quedlinburg World Heritage Site. From 28 March 2026, the new castle museum will offer visitors a new, in-depth insight into the history of the site.

Photos: ^© Welterbestadt Quedlinburg