Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel du Raven, located at the 1st Quai des Bateliers in Strasbourg, is an architectural complex integrated with the urban fabric of the old town, close to the cathedral. Its history dates back to at least 1306, when a hostellerie was first mentioned on this site, making it one of the oldest inns in the city. The establishment, named "Zum Rabe" ("Au Corbeau" in Germanic) from 1528 onwards, welcomes over the centuries illustrious travellers, including dukes, generals and even kings, such as John II Casimir Vasa of Poland in 1669 or Frederick II of Prussia in 1740. Its role as an inn lasted until 1854, marked by a fire in 1668 and a gradual adaptation to postal functions (Poste aux Chevals) in the 18th and 19th centuries.

From 1852, the hostellerie gave way to the stained glass workshops of the house Ott, which made it the largest establishment in Alsace in this field until 1982. The site then undergoes major architectural changes to adapt to this new activity, including the creation of glass windows and specialized workshops. At the same time, artisans such as a courier (1871-1990) occupied part of the premises. In 1950 Dr. Schuh acquired the ensemble to install medical laboratories, while the city of Strasbourg became the owner in 1981, with the exception of entrance buildings. Archaeological excavations in 1999 reveal remains of the 15th and 16th centuries, confirming the site's seniority.

The entire Raven Court, 110 meters long, consists of heterogeneous buildings in terms of style and period, unified by their settlement around narrow courtyards. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1930 for its facades and roofs, and in 1933 for its well, the site illustrates an integrated conservation of heritage. After decades of transformation, it is now reviving a vocation close to its origin, hosting a 4-star hotel and a gourmet restaurant, while preserving the traces of its centuries-old history.

Among the famous visitors are the Duke of Bavaria (1570), Prince Auguste of Saxony-Lauenburg (1622), Duke Charles IV of Lorraine (1631), the Swedish General Gustaf Horn (1632), and the Viscount of Turenne (1647). The emperor of Austria stayed there in 1776 under the name of Count Falkenstein. These stays reflect the prestige of the inn, which also served as a meeting place for the aristocracy and the military in transit, especially during the Thirty Years War.

The relief plans of Strasbourg (1725 and 1836) show that the general layout of the premises has remained similar over the centuries, despite developments such as the reduction of the last courtyard during the drilling of Rue Klein. Subsequent restorations relied on these documents to trace the original provisions. The Cour du Raven thus embodies a superposition of usages — inn, post office, artisanal workshop, laboratory — reflecting the economic and social evolution of Strasbourg from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era.

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