Saalfeld Market Square

The market square. Its shape, size and rectangular layout go back to Emperor Barbarossa.The picturesque market square has been the centre of Saalfeld since the town on the Saale was founded. The enormous size, shape and rectangular layout of the market square as well as the width of the street in the centre go back to Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. He had Saalfeld planned as an imperial city around 1180. Important trade routes crossed here. The typical weekly markets are still held today.Unfortunately, due to two devastating city fires, only a few medieval buildings on the market square remained. The market fountain in front of the town hall was ceremoniously inaugurated on April 17, 1999, in the year of the 1,100th anniversary of the first mention of Saalfeld. It takes the place of an earlier large market fountain that was demolished at the end of the 19th century.Source: pages.et4.de/de/saalfeld-tourismus/streaming/detail/POI/p_100036990/marktplatz

The Lieden are a striking row of houses with characteristic arcades (arches) on the north side of the market square. The row of houses was built in the Middle Ages and replaced the unpaved stalls and booths of the merchants. The name "Lieden" is derived from these "shops". At first one only sold on the windows and at the end of the day the "shutters" were closed. This was later expanded and sales rooms with counters were created.

Bakers and butchers were mentioned as the first craftsmen in the city. Some of the arcades were rebuilt in the 19th century. The right half-timbered side of the Lieden was replaced by new stone buildings in the late Classicist style, as the half-timbered houses located here had to be demolished with low arcades and wooden beam ceilings because they were very dilapidated. Individual buildings on the left go back to the 16th century.

As has already been written here, Tuesday and Thursday are always market days. In addition, there is the so-called panty market on the first Monday of the month. On the first Monday of the month, there are particularly tasteful clothes for a specific clientele. Please protect elders from scams (not from the dealers but from 'special' customers).