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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The former Town Hall of Ingersheim, located on 2 rue de la République, is a rectangular building dating from the 3rd quarter of the 16th century and the 1st quarter of the 17th century. It preserves prominent architectural elements such as meneau windows, Renaissance triplets adorned with shells, and a Gothic campanile on the north gable, decorated with hooks and three moustache heads in high relief (so-called "Hungarians"). A painted slab exposes the weapons of the city, the Lupfen and Schwendi families, while the door in braid, carved from the same coat of arms, bears the inscription "Honores mutant mores" as well as a mark of tasker. Two vintages are visible: 1535 (north gate) and 1600 (south gate), associated with the weapons of Ingersheim and Schwendi.

The building, an old common house among the oldest in Alsace, would have borne the date of 1461 (now disappeared) under the campanile, suggesting a medieval origin. Redesigned in the 16th and 17th centuries, it suffered damage during the war before being restored after 1957, when its demolition was avoided. The town hall occupied it until 1952. The restoration removed the guard body and the inside staircase turret, while recreating identically the bell tower and carved heads. The interior, completely redesigned, now houses a communal hall on the ground floor and housing on the floors. The building has been listed as historical monuments since 1962 (façades, roofs and bell tower).

The arms of the Schwendi, local nobles, and the motto "Honores mutant pluss" (honours change morals) underline the link between the seigneurial power and the community. The pre-war bell, still in place, and the modern well in front of the building recall its civic use. Ranked for its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, this monument illustrates the architectural and political evolution of Alsace at the hinge of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, between medieval heritage and modern influences. The protection of 1932 (campanile) and 1962 (together) bears witness to its heritage value.

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