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Origin and history

The Saint-Hilaire de Séletat arsenal, located in the Great East, is a historical monument of military origins dating back to the early sixteenth century. Its foundations, dated from the 1280s, bear witness to an ancient defensive vocation. Built of brick and sandstone, it embodies the golden age of Séletat, then capital of Rhene humanism, attracting figures like Erasmus of Rotterdam between 1515 and 1522. The inscription "1518" on its façade marks the completion of the work, in a context of urban boom requiring increased storage spaces for weapons and ammunition.

In 1534, facing the smallness of the arsenal, the city added a floor to the Sainte-Barbe arsenal, originally dedicated to foodstuffs. The Thirty Years' War (1632-1634) marked a turning point: Séletat, conquered by the Swedes and then the French, lost his status as a Free City of the Holy Empire. The arsenal, strategic near the New Gate, passes under French control. In 1785 he was renamed in honour of Marc Gaspard Capriol de Saint-Hilaire, commander of municipal artillery, after major work.

The 19th century was marked by crises: in 1814, a nearby fire forced the evacuation of ammunition, avoiding a devastating explosion. After the German annexation of 1871, the arsenal lost its defensive function and became a barracks, successively German (1871-1919) and then French. In the 20th century, an adjacent building of 1617 was destroyed in 1910, replaced by a neo-Renaissance building. Joined the Historic Monuments in 1984, it was rehabilitated in 2020, now combining tourist accommodation and cultural events.

Architecturally, the building is distinguished by its complex structure with three levels of attic, covered with beaver tail tiles typical of Alsace. Its court, driven by organic markets and concerts, reflects its successful conversion. The Rhenanus complex now offers seasonal rentals, while its facade and roof, protected since 1984, recall its military past.

The sources highlight its key role in local history, from medieval conflicts to contemporary preservation. The arsenal also illustrates the urban changes of Sélestat, between humanist heritage, successive occupations and modern adaptation. Its recent renovation, carried out with the DRAC Grand Est, has restored elements such as the roof (2014) and the rough sandstone facades, perpetuating its status as a heritage symbol.

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