Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house at 31 rue des Vignerons in Bergheim (High Rhine) is an emblematic building of the transition between Gothic and Renaissance times. Built on the edge of the 15th and 16th centuries, it has a base and sandstone corner chains, typical of the Alsatian architecture of the time. Its arched Gothic portal, dating from about 1500, and its segmental arch windows illustrate this pivotal period. The house consists of two adjoining buildings: one on street, probably from the 18th century, and the other older (1628), with traces of coopery and engraved initials.

The building underwent several modifications, notably after the 1939-1945 war, under the direction of the architect of the Bâtiments de France, Mr. A Gothic gate from Aubure (early 16th century) was integrated. The outbuildings, dated 1716, include a corbelled courier and a tobacco dryer. Ranked a historic monument in 1935, the house was restored after a fire in 1989 that destroyed its roofs.

The building preserves remarkable elements such as a lintel window carved of shells, a well margin adorned with a shield and a four digit, and wood panel details. These characteristics reflect local craftsmanship and the evolution of constructive techniques between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The house also bears witness to Bergheim's winemaking history, with dependencies related to agricultural and wine-making activities.

Its inscription in the title of historic monuments in 1935 specifically concerns a reported door of Aubure, highlighting the heritage value of its architectural elements. The post-Second World War and post-fire restoration preserved this heritage, while integrating disparate elements such as the well from the Grand'Rue, with its carved margin.

The house thus embodies several epochs: the end of the Middle Ages (Gothic gate), the Renaissance (windows with sills), and the modern periods (added 18th century). Its history also reflects the practices of reusing architectural elements in Alsace, where pieces such as lintels or doors were often moved from one building to another for their artistic or symbolic value.

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