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Origin and history

The house on the Hoelle, also called Maison Auf Der Hölle (literally "House above hell" in German), is an emblematic building in Soultz-Haut-Rhin, in the Upper Rhine. Its name comes from the very dark covered passage located on the ground floor, along the old city rampart. This public passage, vaulted in a cradle and illuminated by narrow bays, created a grim atmosphere symbolically evoking the underworld, hence its popular name.

Built in 1575 for a winemaker and farmer with H.B. initials, the house reportedly housed a beguinage at an indefinite time, according to local tradition. In 1661 it was mentioned under the property of Caspar Yehle (C.I. initials), whose date and marks appear on a beam of the passage. Acquired in 1837 by the Israelite community, she then served as a Jewish school. The roof and stairwell were rebuilt at this time, partially modernizing the medieval structure.

Architecturally, the house incorporates a portion of the inner wall of Soultz, demonstrating its role in urban defence. Its protected elements include facades, roofs, covered passage, and a cellar decorated with crows and niches. Enlisted as historical monuments in 1988, it illustrates the evolution of domestic and community uses, from private housing to educational space, through a public passageway.

Located at 7 rue des Bouchers, its historic address, the house is now owned by an association. Its state of conservation and its approximate location (noted poor according to the sources) underline the challenges of preserving a civil, religious and military heritage. The references to Mérimée and the local archives make it a subject of study for Alsatian history.

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