The history of Western lute-like
string instruments.
Bowed and plucked instruments
with bodies and necks.

Go to the instruments of the month

Between June 2020 and March 2021 each month another  instrument or a pair of instruments from the collection has been highlighted on this page . You will find correct and up to date information on traditional and historical European string instruments. Be surprised by the unknown!

The cittern family. The story of a popular instrument

To the collection of cittern type instruments

As a direct descendant of the ancient Greek "cythara", this instrument, despite its noble origin, has never been accepted in classical music.

But due to the frequent changes in names, tunings and shapes, this chameleon has remained popular among the splucked instruments up to the present day.