Like the town of Aachen for the German kings of the Middle Ages, the site of Nerik held a particular importance for the Hittite “ Great Kings ” of the 2nd millennium BCE.

Similar to Frederick I Barbarossa’s anointment as king in Aachen Cathedral “by the grace of God,” Hattushili III (brother of Muwatalli II, conqueror of Egypt) was made king by the weather god of Nerik.

In contrast to the Hittite political capital of Hattusha, which has been researched for more than 100 years, the only thing known about Nerik is that it lies in the Hittite mountain region of Haharwa, near the Kizihrmak River in northern Anatolia.

Today 88 constellations are commonly reckognized, of which for instance the Fox ( Vulpecula, Plate X ) or the Lesser Lion ( Leo Minor, Plate V ) are such recent additions.

Some new constellations were also politically motivated, so was the shield ( Scutum, Plate X ) dedicated to the polish King Jan III Sobieski.

Many southern constellations ( see Plate XXIX ) were added by de la Caille around 1750 to symbolize the technical advancement, for instance the chemical oven ( Fornax ) or the pump ( Antila ).

The original Frauenkirche was built from 1726 to 1743, financed almost entirely by donations from Dresden ’s Protestant citizenry.

The contractor was the city council, although King August, who had converted to Catholicism in a power-political move enabling him to become king of Poland, did insist on putting his official stamp of approval to the construction plans.

The council’s master of carpentry, George Bähr, was in charge of the building project.