Elevator is conceivable
Interim report on investigations at Fallersleben Castle
We are intensively examining the possibility of equipping Fallersleben Castle with an elevator. Investigations are currently being carried out on the building to clarify the feasibility of barrier-free access via the inner courtyard. We have now presented an interim report to the Fallersleben-Sülfeld local council.
In principle, an elevator is possible in the area of the windows if parapet and lintel transoms are omitted. It is also certain that the widths of the timber frame uprights are sufficient for the arrangement of wheelchair-accessible doors. However, the load of the connecting bars cannot be transferred via the façade of the castle. It must also be noted that the foundation of the elevator would be in the groundwater area. In addition, it is not possible to secure an excavation pit by lowering the groundwater level, but only to a limited extent. To make matters worse, the area for the elevator is limited and geometrically complex.
Expert reports expected to be completed in February 2025
Not all investigations have been completed yet. The next step is now to complete the timber reports and those on the castle's supporting structure this year. In addition, investigations to determine the age of the sill timbers, i.e. horizontal wooden beams in the half-timbered structure, are still pending. Expert opinions are also still required on the studs and timber frames - the space between the wooden beams of a wall that is closed by infill, windows or doors - in the area of the access to the elevator on the upper floor. The entire project would then have to be measured in terms of heights and distances. We assume that all results will be available in February 2025.
Overall condition of Fallersleben Castle is satisfactory
Two groundwater measuring points have been set up for the findings already available and subsoil investigations have been carried out through excavations and pile driving. In addition, a soil archaeological survey was carried out and a pollutant report was prepared. Crack monitoring, i.e. the qualitative and quantitative recording of changes in cracks, an assessment of the existing structure and a simulation of the load-bearing structure and foundation behavior were carried out. The overall condition of Fallersleben Castle is generally satisfactory. The existing damage mainly concerns individual areas of the framework, cracks, moisture and deformations as well as plaster.