The Carolingian monastery town is being constructed in a wooded area approximately four kilometers north of the small town of Meßkirch in southern Germany. The buildings are being built according to the Plan of Saint Gall, which is the only surviving major architectural drawing from the middle-ages. The construction of the monastery town will be accomplished as much as possible with the materials and methods of the time of Charlemagne in keeping with goals of experimental archaeology, thereby increasing our scientific knowledge of Carolingian architecture and engineering. The major raw materials, such as wood and stone, will be obtained from the site. Between 20 and 30 staff members will be permanently at the site, with an exception according to the Medieval custom for resting during the winter months from 11 November until 2 April. The total construction time is estimated at forty years. Volunteer workers not only help with the construction, but also act as costumed interpreters. The project was launched by the Aachen-based journalist Bert Geurten with 1 million euros provided by city, state and European-Union sources. An Advisory Board of 18 experts in fields including archaeology, history, theology, and veterinary medicine will provide the scientific management and monitoring of the construction.
Construction progress
A small area in the forest was cleared by the end of June 2013, and temporary shelters for the craftsmen were built. A map of the site shows areas for carpenters, basket weavers, potters, blacksmiths, stonemasons, wood turners, broom makers, roofers, textile workers, and rope makers. There are also pens for pigs, goats and sheep, and a chicken coop, along with a bee hive. There is a herb garden for healer's plants. In the center of the site is the ongoing construction of a wooden church.
Wooden church
The construction of a wooden church was started in 2014, and the main structure was completed in 2015. Construction continues on the interior and details of the exterior.
Scholarly Research
On 20 April 2018, the Campus Galli was officially named 'teaching and research site of the University of Tübingen'. The production of ceramics and also the production and processing of mortars using medieval methods at Campus Galli are of interest to the Competence Center Archaeometry Baden-Wuerttemberg. Mineralogical investigations can establish the connection between archaeological finds and materials produced according to traditional methods. Archaeological experiments on ceramic firing and joint courses for students of archaeology will also be conducted as part of the cooperation.
