Düsseldorf sends historic brick to Vienna – a symbol of culture

Düsseldorf sends historic brick to Vienna – a symbol of culture

A special piece of history is currently traveling from Düsseldorf to Vienna. Thomas and Irene Bay, members of the Friends of Düsseldorf Industrial Culture, are sending a brick from Gerresheim, which is now finding a new home in the Penzing District Museum. The brick weighs two kilograms and is part of a fascinating collection that documents the history of the building material. Dr. Gerhard Zsutty, the director of the Vienna Brick and Architectural Ceramics Museum, is pleased about the enrichment of his collection, which now includes over 14,000 bricks. This reports RP Online.

Thomas and Irene Bay met Zsutty for the first time in May 2023. Both were amazed by his extensive knowledge of bricks and their history. During the conversation it became apparent that Zsutty not only archived bricks from the Habsburg monarchy, but also from Switzerland, France and Germany. His goal is not only to expand his collection, but also to encourage others to bring bricks to the museum to record their provenance and history. The people of Düsseldorf were impressed, among other things, by bricks that bore special symbols such as the double-headed eagle and heart symbols.

The Vienna Brick Museum

The Vienna Brick and Architectural Ceramics Museum was founded in 1978 as a branch of the Penzing District Museum. Originally founded by Anton Schirmböck, who is considered the founder of brick research in Austria, the collection provides a deep insight into the development of brick production in Austria. Schirmböck collected bricks during archaeological excavations and presented his first comprehensive exhibition in 1973. In 1986, the Brick Museum finally became an independent house.

Under the direction of Dr. Gerhard Zsutty, who has worked for the institution on a voluntary basis for over 40 years, the museum has developed enormously. The exhibition focuses on the history and technology of brick production, which came to Austria with the Roman soldiers and was strongly influenced by the clergy and nobility in the Middle Ages. Particular attention is paid to explaining the various brick symbols used to identify manufacturers since the 15th century. The collection contains a wide range of ceramic products, including roof tiles, oven tiles and mosaic panels.

Opening hours and commitment

Interested visitors can visit the museum free of charge every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Measured commitment is very important here, as the museum is always looking for volunteers with previous knowledge of brick research. The desire to preserve and convey the history of the brick is pursued with great enthusiasm by those responsible. The love of brick research is reflected in every part of the museum, which also maintains a valuable exchange with Vienna's urban archeology in order to comprehensively document the diversity of brick culture.

For visitors to the museum, the brick becomes an exciting symbol of history, technology and artistry that continues to influence the present day. The connection between Düsseldorf and Vienna created by brick shows that the history of the building material is not only important locally, but also internationally.