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All Switzerland Schaffhausen Haus zum Goldenen Ochsen (House of the Golden Ox) Oriel

Haus zum Goldenen Ochsen (House of the Golden Ox) Oriel

Explore the five senses depicted on this protruding Gothic window.

Schaffhausen, Switzerland

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Kooni
Haus zum Goldenen Ochsen oriel window   H. Zell / CC BY-SA 3.0
  Gerd Eichmann / CC BY-SA 4.0
House of the golden ox   Kooni / Atlas Obscura User
oriel window   Kooni / Atlas Obscura User
oriel window   Kooni / Atlas Obscura User
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The medieval town of Schaffhausen is known for its protruding Gothic windows known as oriels. There are said to be around 170 of the beautiful bay windows in the old town district alone.

One of the oldest oriels can be seen at the Haus zum Goldenen Ochsen (House of the Golden Ox). The window dates back to the 17th century and illustrates the five senses on its five sides. Five women holding symbolic objects and animals hint at the senses of touch, sight, hearing, taste, and smell.

Other decorations on the outside of this house include frescoes depicting the building's namesake golden ox, as well as scenes from ancient Babylonian and Greek history.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Symbols History Architecture Window

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Added By

Kooni

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

Published

March 4, 2024

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