The Jousting Hall

In the third floor of the western palace is is called Jousting Hall, named after the fresco showing a joust.

On the southern wall we can see scenes showing some courtly pleasures: a ball game near a forest. The lady with the white dress is about to throw a ball to an other player. The painter presents us slim persons with long, waisted dresses corresponding to the gothic fashion. On the different faces we can recognize attempts to show emotions and portrait studies.

On the right side of the door we can see noble people dancing a round dance . This dance was on the one hand part of courtly pleasures and on the other hand a chance to present the contemporary fashion. The round dance starts with a lady, wearing a blue dress and a little crown. Beneath we can see the musicians.

Games and dances were part of the courtly ceremony and part of the courtly representation and entertainment. Not only to make personal bonds but often also to arrange affairs. When these frescoes were made, the Vintlers were not part of this illustrious circle of nobles. These frescoes are showing us the attempt to lead a life-style like the nobles but we have to notice that the Vintlers were really able to compete with them because of their incredible wealth.

Hunting and fishing were also part of the daily courtly entertainment. On the western wall we can see scenes of the hunt for stags, wild boar and bear. On the northern wall we can find some scenes of hunting for chamois and ibex in the mountains. The eastern wall represents some fishing-scenes.

Noteworthy in this room is also the wooden triple vault, which was reconstructed in a simplified form in 1969. Generally triple vaults are typical for halls or rooms of the 14th century .