Quedlinburg – The genesis of a royal central place

Abstract

The region between the Harz and the Elbe evolved in the 10th century into a key column of the Ottonian kingdom. In the Carolingian period Quedlinburg was not an outstanding settlement with central functions, but in the Ottonian era it became a royal palace and a central place which was connected with the surrounding villages by manorial ties. The royal castle on the Schlossberg was founded in the 10th century. The importance of the royal residence was strengthened by the foundation of the monastery in 936, which had the purpose to maintain the commemoration of King Henry I who died in this year. In the case of royal assemblies and Easter celebrations, this noble religious institution offered an appropriate and dignified framework. Recent archaeological investigations had shown that around 1000 the market was situated at the same place as today – in contrast to older research which expected this marketplace at the bottom of the Schlossberg or around the Blasius church. The related settlement spread in today’s Old Town, but no clear settlement structures can be recognised until now.