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Origin and history

The House of the Lieutenants of the King is a civil building of the early eighteenth century, located in the 16th place of Armes (formerly 157) in Neuf-Brisach, in the Upper Rhine. This building, which has been listed as historic monuments since 1932, is distinguished by its two-door facade: a simple surmounted by a wrought iron balcony with DG initials, the other monumental, decorated with a broken curved pediment and a cartridge in the eardrum. This door, once painted in false marble, comes from the castle of Isemburg in Rouffach and carries the 1710 vintage on its lintel. The cut stone corner links, now covered with coating, highlight its classic style.

The building seems to have undergone modifications over the centuries. The southern part, including the monumental gate, would result from an expansion after its initial construction. The wrought iron balcony may date back to the 19th century, while the roof has been redone more recently. Although his name evokes a military function linked to the King's lieutenants, no specific details of his original use are mentioned in the available sources. The official protection of 1932 concerns only the door dated 1710, the most remarkable architectural element.

Nine-Brisach, founded in 1697 by Vauban under Louis XIV, is a fortified town characteristic of 18th century military urban planning. The House of King's Lieutenants fits into this context, reflecting the strategic importance of the Alsatian region at that time. Its location in the Place d'Armes, the symbolic heart of the city, reinforces its role in the spatial and social organization of the city. DG initials on the balcony remain unidentified in the sources consulted, leaving a mystery about their exact meaning.

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