Return after 207 years: City Museum shows pair of sceptres of the rector of the Old University of Erfurt for the first time

The rector's pair of sceptres, which were sold to the Humboldt University of Berlin for 150 thalers after the closure of the Old University of Erfurt by the Prussian state in 1816, is now returning to the Erfurt City Museum on loan for a year. One of the two sceptres was acquired by the city of Erfurt as early as 1974. Since then, talks about a return have been ongoing, which have now led to a first success.

As an expression of power and state independence, the rectors' sceptres of the Old University of Erfurt were among the main insignia of the university administration at the time. The two identical sceptres were made of gilded silver in the 15th century and show stylistic elements of the Gothic period. They were presented during ritual and highly official occasions and were constantly changed over time, among other things by individual inscriptions by the rectors. Today, there is much to suggest that they were presumably never carried forward by the rector himself, but by third parties on his behalf.

In addition to the now reunited pair of sceptres, the exhibition also shows the rector's seal, shoulder cloak and beret as well as the pair of sceptres of the Faculty of Theology. They bear witness to Erfurt's importance as a medieval metropolis and centre of trade, culture and knowledge.