via regia. 800 Years of Movement and Encounters

The Third Saxon State Exhibition
May 21 to October 31, 2011, Exhibited at the Kaisertrutz in Görlitz

What makes people move from one place to another? Why do people move far from home? How did people move 500 years ago? What was their goal? Under the banner “800 Years of Movement and Encounters” the Staatliche Kuntsammlungen Dresden is presenting “The 3rd Saxon State Exhibition” on behalf of the State of Saxony. The SKD will present life on the Via Regia, one of the most important European trade routes, with top-class exhibits.

Today the powerful cities, centers of trade, and churches built along the Via Regia are a reminder of the former trading route. This exhibition will take place in Görlitz, with the city itself as the main focus. Görlitz is the easternmost city in Germany with the largest amount of monuments. With its medieval market squares and numerous monuments, the city was an important stop along the Via Regia for centuries. The main exhibition will take place at the Kaisertrutz, an imposing 15^th century bastion. On five floors the five themes of the exhibition will be presented: rebellion, foundation, market, and human exchanges. These themes will displayed through exceptional works of art and modern media installations to make the subject exciting and come to life for the visitors.

Eight centuries have elapsed since the first mention of the trade route as a “Strata Regia” or “High Street” in 1252. The exhibition will address life on the ancient trade route, Görlitz, and the surrounding region, as well as the migration patterns recorded by the transfer of art and cultural and exchange of goods until the 19^th century. The story told is that of the people who traveled, made pilgrimage, and fled for centuries along the Via Regia. Merchandise and goods were traded, while art and culture traveled back and forth by the way of horse and cart. Borders, currencies, and languages changed, cities grew, and wars were fought during the height of the Via Regina. The travelers exchanged knowledge, wealth, fashion, as well as sometimes bringing poverty and disease.

The exhibition’s aim is to present locals, visitors, and tourists with Europe’s historic heritage and highlight the Via Regia, a special feature of this region. With a view of history, prospects for the future can be developed.