(pw) If you go for a walk and have a close look at your environment, you will find some hidden architectural treasures that you would otherwise easily overlook. Barmscheid’s bakery in Oberhausen-Königshardt is such a treasure: It seems unimpressive at first sight.
Built around 1850 by Kötter Barmscheid, it was used for 100 years to supply the surrounding residents with bread and the like. After that it was empty for more than 30 years until the listed building was lovingly renovated in 1983. Care was taken to ensure that the original condition was maintained for the most part.
Bread is baked in a traditional way
Previously, almost every major farm had its own bakery. Every two to three weeks, the bakehouse was heated to bake rye bread and other baked goods.
In order to entertain the locals and bring the old bakery close to the inhabitants, there is a festival around the bakery every year, where the bakehouse shines in the fire and the baker’s bread is baked in the old oven in a traditional way.
Celebration in the bakehouse
The celebration in the bakehouse is one of the traditional festivities organized by the clubs and organizations of Königshardt.
In the morning, around 8 a.m., the bakehouse is heated by a wood fire. This process takes about 4 to 5 hours. At 11.30 a.m., the bread is put into the hot baking room where it slowly bakes for about 2 hours.
At about 2 p.m. the party really starts. The bread loafs are cut up, coated with homemade lard and can be tasted.
