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***image1***The former iron works “Völklinger Hütte,” which is the European Center for Arts and Industrial Culture, extended its special exhibition on “IncaGold” through April 3.
The exhibition displays masterpieces from the Larco Museum Peru and items from the Linden-Museum Stuttgart to present 3,000 years of advanced civilization in ancient Peru.
“We are very happy that more than 200,000 visitors came to see Völklinger Hütte and our displays in 2004,” said Dr. Meinrad Maria Grewenig, general director. “It has been the most successful year in our 5-year history. It shows us that we are on the right way to lure youth and families with our projects.”
***image2******image3***IncaGold is the first exhibition at Völklinger Hütte to feature world civilizations of the South American Andean state. It is presented with the kind support of the Peru National Institute of Culture.
It showcases 120 display items from Peru to include splendid crowns, valuable head decorations, precious diadems and sparkling ear decorations, which all were expressions of the people’s ritual veneration of the gods. They give visitors an insight into the exotic world and religion of the advanced civilization of the Andes.
The gold treasures of the pre-Inca advanced civilizations such as the Moche, Chimu and Chavin, were the reason for the Spaniards to invade the Inca Empire in 1532. They were overwhelmed by the massive temple sites, palaces and gold treasures.
Goldsmiths melted down the Inca gold to transport back home. Between 1532 and 1540 at least 181 tons of gold and 16,800 tons of silver were taken over the Atlantic to Europe.
The Inca Empire, which was bigger than the Roman Empire, was gone after 300 years.
For Europeans, gold meant power and wealth. The myth of the Inca Gold has been kept vivid over all these years.
“We are happy to have been able to present an exhibition of such a high quality, and we are already working on a new interesting project to follow IncaGold,” said Dr. Grewenig.
***image4***Some exhibitions also feature special events. The New Year’s opening concert “IncaGold with drums beating and trumpets sounding” takes place at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. The Choir of the Bach Association Saarland, the Dome Choir of Speyer and Sinfonietta Saarbrücken present works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi. Admission fee is 25 EUR.
The next event, “Grupo Sal – Live,” is presented at 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Six musicians take visitors on a trip through Middle and South America. Tickets cost 12 EUR. For reservations, call 06898-9100-100.
Völklinger Hütte is a World Cultural Heritage Site, classified by UNESCO in 1994. The former ironworks is considered an industrial monument. Together with various displays and special events, Völklinger Hütte attracted more than 200,000 visitors last year.
Hours, admission, directions
Opening hours for Inca Gold are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission fee is €9 for adults and €2 for children. Families with children pay €19. The entrance fee includes an audio-guide in different languages.
The outside area of the former ironworks doesn’t open until spring.
To get to Völklinger Hütte near the city of Völklingen, take autobahn A6 toward Saarbrücken, then A620 to Saarlouis. For details, visit www.voelklinger-huette.org.
