The Graue Hof, located in the center of the city, was first mentioned on August 24, 1309 in a deed of transfer to the Michaelstein Monastery by Otto II of Anhalt.
This makes it the oldest secular building in the city.
Originally known as Gravenhof, it was later referred to as Grauer Hof because the resident monks wore gray clothing.
In the donation it was mentioned that the yard should be lap-free but not guard-free.
The courtyard was managed by the monastery for a long time and used as a farm, later the city acquired the property.
It is an irregular complex of buildings, the main building of which is built of quarry stone and which is bordered on the west by the city walls.
A solid courtyard building with a half-timbered superstructure connects to the inside at a right angle.
The interior can be reached through two arched gates, of which the outer gate has a round arch and the inner one has a pointed arch.
There is a small hall and a café on the top floor of the building.
There is a triple window in the former chapel and a large black kitchen on the ground floor.
Only narrow streets lead to the courtyard.
The Grauer Hof has become the city's cultural center and is regularly used for various purposes as part of the city's cultural offerings.
Concerts, exhibitions and readings take place here.
Highlights are the Drummers' Night at the Gildefest in spring and, since 1992, the international Autumn Blues Festival on the 2nd weekend in October with a concluding blues session. The building has remained essentially unchanged since the 14th century.
(Source: Wikipedia)