Schönebeck. Until 15 February, the Salzlandmuseum is hosting a special exhibition entitled "The Curse of Gold – Tin Figures Tell the Story of America". The Freundeskreis Zinnfiguren Magdeburg e.V. (Magdeburg Tin Figure Friends Association) and fellow collectors use more than 6,000 tin figures to illustrate numerous scenes from historical events and famous places of worship, showing how the search for new land, greater riches and, above all, gold led to the destruction and downfall of Native American cultures. It is about the fateful history of the indigenous cultures of the Aztecs, Mayans and Incas.
"Off to Tenochtitlan – Cortés defeats the Aztecs" is the second lecture in a three-part series accompanying the exhibition at the Salzlandmuseum. On Thursday, 29 January, Dr Axel Hentschel, himself a member of the Friends of Tin Figures Magdeburg and a collector, will explore this topic for another 45 minutes. He would very much like to engage in discussion with his guests afterwards.
Firstly, the speaker describes the situation in Mexico and the Yucatan at the beginning of the 16th century and that of the indigenous peoples of this region: the march of Cortes and his conquistadors to Tenochtitlan; no Spanish victory without the indigenous allies; cultures clash!
The lecture and discussion will be followed by a tour of the exhibition.
Off to Tenochtitlan - Cortés defeats the Aztecs - Lecture on 29 January 2026 |
Venue: Salzlandmuseum, Pfännerstraße 41, 39218 Schönebeck (Elbe) | Admission: 6 pm | Start: 6.30 pm | Admission: 5 euros
Third lecture date: 5 February 2026 - The fall of the Inca empire began in Cajamarca
The organisers request that you register by email at museum@kreis-slk.de or by telephone on 03471 684-624410.