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Origin and history

The building located in 20 Place du Marché in Obernai is a remarkable example of Alsatian Renaissance architecture. Built at the end of the 16th century (dated 1584), this stone house is distinguished by its Renaissance window housing, supported by carved pillars, one of which bears the date of 1575. It is surmounted by a covered balcony, and there are signs of a tasker, testifying to the construction techniques of the time.

This building was the subject of dual heritage protection: an inscription as historic monuments in 1929 for its facades and roofs, followed by a classification in 1958 for its oriel dated 1575. These measures underline its architectural and historical importance in the local heritage of Bas-Rhin, an area marked by a strong Germanic and French influence.

Obernai, a typical Alsatian city, was in the Renaissance a commercial and cultural crossroads. The half-timbered or stone houses, like this building, reflected the prosperity of local merchants and artisans. Their role often went beyond mere housing: they also served as workshops, warehouses or places of exchange, illustrating a dynamic urban society organized around the central market, as indicated by the location of the building.

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