What usually happens behind closed doors is now visible to the public: the conservation studio [de] makes it possible for visitors to follow what is being done to conserve the tapestry. The almost 470-year old tapestry is being thoroughly examined, cleaned, and restored. The conservation studio thus provides insights into a conservation process that, due to the size and age of the tapestry, will take an extended period of time to complete.
Treasure from the House of the Pomeranian Dukes
The Croy Tapestry was made in 1554 in Szczecin, on commission from the Duke of Pomerania, Philipp I of Pomerania-Wolgast. It was made by Peter Heymans based on portraits from artists including Lucas Cranach the Elder. The tapestry shows the Saxon and Pomeranian dynasties linked by marriage and in the context of the Reformation. Following the loss of the “Pomeranian Art Cabinet” during the war, the tapestry is now considered the most significant piece of artistic heritage to have come from the house of the Pomeranian Dukes.
The tapestry has now belonged to the University of Greifswald for more than 340 years. Duke Ernst Bogislaw of Croy left the tapestry to the University in his will dated 3 June 1681. Together with the tapestry, he donated a golden signet ring and a golden chain to the University, which have served as the official insignia of the Rector since the 19th century. The three objects are still owned by the University of Greifswald. The Croy Tapestry has been on permanent display at the Pomeranian State Museum since 2005.
New presentation for the anniversary
The conservation works are being performed as part of an Innterreg project that also includes renovation works on the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes in Szczecin. The European Union is co-funding the project through the European Regional Development Fund. It is being co-financed by the Ostdeutsche Sparkassenstiftung together with Sparkasse Vorpommern.
The lovingly restored Croy Tapestry will be displayed in a new exhibition at the Pomeranian State Museum in 2028. This will mark the 900th anniversary of Bishop Otto von Bamberg’s missionary journeys to Pomerania in 1124 and 1128. The tapestry will then return to display as one of the central artefacts of the newly designed permanent exhibition “Pomerania – Land by the Sea”.
Minister of Science and Culture, Bettina Martin, and Rector Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel also took a look at the ongoing works on a tour of the conservation studio on 10 September 2026. The visit took place prior to the start of the international symposium “Verwobene Geschichten. Der Greifswalder Croy-Teppich von 1554 und seine europäischen Bezüge” (“Interwoven History. Greifswald’s Croy Tapestry of 1554 and its European Connections”).
Further Information
Croy Tapestry & Croy Festival [de]
Contact at the University of Greifswald
University Communications
Domstraße 11, Entrance 2, 17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 3834 420 1150
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Dr. Thilo Habel
Head of the Kustodie (University Collections)
Domstraße 11, Entrance 4, 17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 3834 420 3060
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