Hanau in Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Hanauer Elle und Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen ⎯⎯⎯ The Hanau “Foot” and Fountain of Justice
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
1. Hanauer Elle und Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen / The Hanau “Foot” and Fountain of Justice Marker
Inscription.
Die „Hanauer Elle" am Eingang zum Deutschen Goldschmiedehaus misst 54,38 cm. Sie war das offizielle Längenmaß für den Wochenmarkt, der mit dem Stadtrechtsprivileg von König Albrecht I. vom 2. Februar 1303 gestattet wurde. An fast allen Marktflecken galten unterschiedliche Naturmaße (Fuß, Schritt, Klafter etc.). Erst unter napoleonischer Herrschaft Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts wurden auch in unserer Region Dezimalwerte wie m, cm und Liter eingeführt. Der Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen wurde 1611 vom Rat der Stadt errichtet. Löwenfiguren halten die Wappen der Hanauer Altstadt und der Herren von Hanau-Münzenberg. In der Mitte befindet sich die Darstellung der Justitia als Symbol kommunaler Gerichtsbarkeit. 1767 wurde der Brunnen in der Fassade des Rathauses vermauert, 1928 erfolgte die Rückversetzung. Er überdauerte die Luftangriffe des Zweiten Weltkriegs 1944/1945. Restauriert zum 675-jährigen Altstadtjubiläum (1978) und 2013., Gestiftet 2021 vom Ortsbeirat Hanau-Innenstadt, (English translation:) , The "Hanau Elle" at the entrance to the German Goldsmiths' House measures 54.38 cm. It was the official unit of length for the weekly market, which was permitted by the town charter privilege of King Albrecht I on February 2, 1303. Different natural units of measurement (“foot”, “step”, “fathom”, etc.) were used in almost all market towns. It was only under Napoleon's rule at the beginning of the 19th century that decimal values such as meters, centimeters and liters were introduced in our region. The Fountain of Justice was built by the town council in 1611. Lion figures hold the coats of arms of Hanau's old town and the lords of Hanau-Münzenberg. In the middle is a depiction of Justitia as a symbol of municipal jurisdiction. In 1767, the fountain was walled up in the facade of the town hall and moved back in 1928. It survived the air raids of the Second World War in 1944/1945. Restored for the 675th anniversary of the old town (1978) and in 2013., Donated in 2021 by the Hanau-Innenstadt local council
Die „Hanauer Elle" am Eingang zum Deutschen Goldschmiedehaus
misst 54,38 cm. Sie war das offizielle Längenmaß für den Wochenmarkt,
der mit dem Stadtrechtsprivileg von König Albrecht I.
vom 2. Februar 1303 gestattet wurde. An fast allen Marktflecken galten
unterschiedliche Naturmaße (Fuß, Schritt, Klafter etc.).
Erst unter napoleonischer Herrschaft Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts wurden
auch in unserer Region Dezimalwerte wie m, cm und Liter eingeführt.
Der Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen wurde 1611 vom Rat der Stadt errichtet.
Löwenfiguren halten die Wappen der Hanauer Altstadt und der Herren von
Hanau-Münzenberg. In der Mitte befindet sich die Darstellung der Justitia als
Symbol kommunaler Gerichtsbarkeit. 1767 wurde der Brunnen in der Fassade
des Rathauses vermauert, 1928 erfolgte die Rückversetzung.
Er überdauerte die Luftangriffe des Zweiten Weltkriegs 1944/1945.
Restauriert zum 675-jährigen Altstadtjubiläum (1978) und 2013.
Gestiftet 2021 vom Ortsbeirat Hanau-Innenstadt
(English translation:)
The "Hanau Elle" at the entrance to the German Goldsmiths' House measures 54.38 cm. It was the official unit of length for the weekly market, which was permitted by the town charter privilege of King Albrecht I on February 2, 1303. Different natural units of measurement (“foot”, “step”,
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“fathom”, etc.) were used in almost all market towns. It was only under Napoleon's rule at the beginning of the 19th century that decimal values such as meters, centimeters and liters were introduced in our region. The Fountain of Justice was built by the town council in 1611. Lion figures hold the coats of arms of Hanau's old town and the lords of Hanau-Münzenberg. In the middle is a depiction of Justitia as a symbol of municipal jurisdiction. In 1767, the fountain was walled up in the facade of the town hall and moved back in 1928. It survived the air raids of the Second World War in 1944/1945. Restored for the 675th anniversary of the old town (1978) and in 2013.
Donated in 2021 by the Hanau-Innenstadt local council
Erected 2021 by Stadt Hanau.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is February 2, 1303.
Location. 50° 8.191′ N, 8° 55.068′ E. Marker is in Hanau, Hessen (Hesse), in Main-Kinzig-Kreis. It is on Altstädter Markt. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Altstädter Markt 2A, Hanau HE 63, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
3. Location of the “Elle” (foot of the staircase, above the white sign)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
4. The Hanau “Elle” (= 54.38 centimeters or 1.78 feet or 3.24 bananas)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 3, 2025
5. Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen / Fountain of Justice
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 26, 2024
6. The Hanau “Foot” and Fountain of Justice…
at the Marktplatz in front of the Deutsche Goldschmiedehaus (formerly the Old City Hall).
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 28, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
