Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Kammerzell House, located in No. 16 of the Cathedral Square in Strasbourg, is a historic monument emblematic of half-timbered Alsatian architecture. Originally built in 1427, it only took its final appearance in 1589, after major transformations initiated by the cheese trader Martin Braun. The latter, above the ground floor of stone (the only vestige of the 15th century), erects wooden floors carved in Renaissance style, decorated with sacred, secular scenes, and allegorical representations such as the five senses or signs of the zodiac.

Acquired in 1571 by Martin Braun, the house passed into the hands of several owners before being sold in 1879 to the foundation of the Work Notre-Dame by Philippe-François Kammerzell, whose name it derives. A restoration in 1892 partially altered its facades, adding polychrome paintings inspired by the Rhine style of the 16th century. The interior, transformed into a restaurant in the 20th century, houses a fresco by Léo Schnugg (1910) illustrating a Strasbourg culinary anecdote of 1576. The house, listed as a historic monument in 1929, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with the historic centre of Strasbourg.

The facade of the Kammerzell house is distinguished by its wooden sculptures representing historical figures such as Caesar, Charlemagne, or Godefroy de Bouillon, as well as symbolic motifs such as the four ages of life or theological virtues. A pulley, still visible on the gable, bears witness to the old methods of storing goods in the attic. In 1938, the restaurant it housed became infamous for displaying an anti-Semitic sign, reflecting the political tensions of the time in Alsace.

Since 1879, the house has belonged to the foundation of the Work of Our Lady, which ensures its preservation. Today, with the nearby cathedral, it remains one of the oldest buildings in Strasbourg still in operation, mixing architectural heritage, local history and contemporary life. Its interior decoration, including Schnugg's painting, and its richly decorated exterior make it a must-see place for the Strasbourg heritage.

External links