Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Romanesque house of Rosheim is a medieval civil building located in the heart of the Alsatian city of Rosheim, in the department of Bas-Rhin. Built in the 12th century, it is distinguished by its rustically bossed chains, characteristic of the civil Romanesque architecture of the region. Its exact address, 23-25 rue du Général-de-Gaulle, makes it a central heritage landmark in the historical urban fabric of Rosheim. Ranked a historic monument by decree of 25 July 1921, it now belongs to the commune and embodies one of the few preserved examples of medieval stone houses in Alsace.

The Romanesque house has been the subject of several studies and restorations, documented by local historians. Among the available sources, the works of Daniel Gaymard (2002) and Christine Muller (2006) analyse its architecture and medieval urban context, while Bernadette Schnitzler (1998) traces the perpetencies of its preservation between 1860 and 1924. A recent publication in Les Saisons d'Alsace (2025) even describes it as "the oldest house in Alsace", stressing its importance in the regional heritage. Its early ranking (1921) reflects the recognition of its historical value from the early twentieth century.

Architecturally, the Romanesque house is marked by its apparent stone elements and its robust structure, typical of the civil buildings of the Middle Ages. Although the interior details are not described in the sources, its exterior — especially the bosses — bears witness to Romance construction techniques. The location of Rosheim, a prosperous medieval town on the Alsace wine route, suggests that this type of house probably housed wealthy merchants or artisans. Today, its state of conservation and its visibility in the urban landscape make it a symbol of the medieval past of the region.

External links