Journey of discovery into the world of ancient healing powers in the Folklore Museum

Journey of discovery into the world of ancient healing powers in the Folklore Museum

Today, people use highly effective medications and pharmaceuticals for a wide variety of diseases and ailments. They seek out qualified specialists and hospitals. But what did people do in the past when these offers of help did not yet exist? The inventory of the Upper Palatinate Folklore Museum in Burglengenfeld contains numerous objects that people used in pre-industrial times to get healthy or to protect themselves from impending disaster. Some things belonged to the Christian faith, some had a more superstitious background.

Lecture on ancient healing methods

The former museum directorDr. Margit Berwing-Wittlwill visit several departments of the museum on Thursday, October 24th, from 7 p.m. as part of a lecture tour. There you can discover votive and holy images, relics and consecrated objects. The focus is also on mysterious tools that were previously used by bathers, healers and so-called “wise women” to combat misfortunes and illnesses among people and livestock.

There is a lot to marvel at in the current special exhibition “Health! 70 Years of Burglengenfeld Hospital”. These objects promised relief and recovery for the sick, but are no longer in use today. These include magical herbs and substances such as “devil’s dirt” and guaiac. Parts of real mummies could even be bought in pharmacies as medicine until the 1970s. The recipe book of a potter from Wernberg-Kölblitz, which contains prayers and magic spells, secret healing knowledge and strange ingredients for teas and infusions, is also presented.

Anyone interested is cordially invited to take a tour of the museum and the special exhibition to learn about ancient, enigmatic knowledge about healing powers and healing methods. The tour lasts about an hour. The participation fee, which corresponds to museum entry, is 1 euro.