From a celebration of Norwich Castle itself, to a show centred around the intriguing history behind a 17th century Norfolk painting, to a look at the legacy of the First World War, there are a hat-trick of new exhibitions to look forward to at the historic venue in 2018.
John Ward, chairman of Norfolk County Council, said: 'We're looking forward to another exciting year of top class exhibitions at Norwich Castle, which includes a prestigious collaboration with the Yale Center for British Art in the USA.
'Our varied programme kicks off in February with Norwich Castle: Square Box on the Hill when visitors can see documents and objects from the Castle's 900-year history, many of which have not been on display before. In summer, The Paston Treasure: Riches and Rarities of the Known World, brings objects from this famous painting together for the first time. Then at the end of the year we offer a poignant commemoration of the impact of World War I on Norfolk, with Armistice: Legacy of the Great War.'
Below are the key details about each of the three shows.
• Norwich Castle: The Square Box on the Hill - February 10 2018 to June 3 2018
Standing atop the largest man-made mound in the country, Norwich Castle has dominated the city's skyline since the l2th century.
Witnessing the everchanging cityscape from its heights, the castle has had many iterations of its own over the last 900 years. But what is the story of Norwich's iconic and much-loved square box on the hill?
This exhibition will illustrate Norwich Castle's rich history from Norman showpiece to county gaol to public museum.
Featuring a mixture of prints, photographs, paintings, architectural plans, memorabilia and archives - many of which have never been on display before - the exhibition will put the spotlight on the fascinating past of this centuries-old landmark.
At the same time The Square Box on the Hill will also showcase ambitious plans for the castle's future with the Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project which aims to re-imagine the castle's keep as it was in the days of the Norman kings, including recreating the keep's main Norman floor and great hall.
Running alongside this exhibition, and also inspired by the Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project, will be the Norwich Castle Open Art Show which will open on March 3 and run until May 20. The exhibition will present the recent work of East Anglian artists addressing the theme of inheritance.
• The Paston Treasure: Riches and Rarities of the Known World - June 23 2018 to September 23 2018
Norwich Castle, in collaboration with Yale Center for British Art in America, is staging a major exhibition which takes as its starting point the extraordinary painting known as The Paston Treasure which dates from l663-5.
The exhibition will gather together for the first time in three centuries some of the real-life treasures featured in the fascinating artwork.
Commissioned by Sir Robert Paston in the 17th century and painted by an unknown Dutch artist, the painting depicts some of the Paston family's collected treasures.
The exhibition aims to explore and cast new light on the world of the Paston family and their magnificent collections once held at their residence in Oxnead Hall, near Aylsham.
• Armistice: Legacy of the Great War - Mid October 2018 to early January 2019
Armistice: Legacy of the Great War is major centenary exhibition at Norwich Castle which will explore the breadth and depth of the impact of the First World War on Norwich and Norfolk.
The physical impact on the county, including coastal defences, changes in agriculture and industrial transformation, will be explored alongside the
stories of communities and individuals whose lives were transformed by the war.
Objects, art work, archives and images from around Norfolk will put the national story into local context.
The exhibition will aim to provide a fitting finale to four years of centenary commemorations and research by individuals, local history societies and museums around the county.
This is a joint project by Norfolk Museums Service in collaboration with the Norfolk Record Office and Norfolk Library and Information Service together with a large number of volunteers.
For more information about events and exhibitions at Norwich Castle, visit www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle
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