The Story of our Historic Country Inn
Centuries ago the barons of Erthal claimed the sole right (Schankrecht) to serve guests in restaurants, inns and taverns in Untererthal and had early on built a tavern to exercise such right.
In 1548 the first innkeeper was mentioned, Hans Murk. Over the centuries, many names followed his, whose carriers were also keepers of the stately inn.
In 1733 Johann Bau tore down the old building and constructed a larger inn in the baroque style. The arches at the entrance, keystones, window frames and other structural aspects all date to this period of construction and are still integral to the inn. It was at this time, in 1737, that it was first mentioned that the inn had a "golden cross" (guldenes Kreuz) in its decorative shield, thereby giving rise to the name Landgasthof zum Goldenen Kreuz.
However, the antique door with its intricate carvings and engravings is attributed to an unknown later date.
Johann Josef Schäfer acquired the inn through marriage in 1895 and extended what is today the rear wing of the building in 1900, which contains the large ballroom.
In 1910 renovations and extensions were carried out, and these, along with the construction carried out in 1733, form the current structure of the Landgasthof zum Goldenen Kreuz.
Due to the history of the inn and its architecture, it is currently protected by a state heritage preservation order.
Sources
- Ullrich, Heinrich (1913). Untererthal. Kulturhistorische Studie über eine Siedlung des Saalgaues. Druck und Verlag: Franz Staudenraus
- Ullrich, Elmar (1993). Untererthal: Ein Heimatkundliches Lesebuch. Rötter Druck und Verlag.
