The ells

public quality control station

To the left of the main entrance of St. Stephen’s are 2 metal rods from 1450 left in the wall; the top rod, the so-called ‘cloth ell’, measures 77.6cm, the lower rod, the ‘linen ell’, 89.6cm. Ell refers to the ulna, a bone in the lower arm, which is a common measure in medieval times.

The cloth and linen ells outside the cathedral are a kind of consumer checkpoint, allowing medieval citizens to test whether their bought goods, in this case textiles, meet the required lengths. If not, the tailor or textile merchant can expect a severe punishment. The cloth and linen ells are the oldest remaining measures in Austria.

Above left of the rods there is a circular hollow, thought to be the medieval measure for a loaf of bread. In fact this is where the stone was worn away by a former barrier.