Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house at 24 rue Sainte-Odile (formerly No. 197) in Bernardswiller is a civil building dating from the 1st quarter of the 18th century. It illustrates the Alsatian domestic architecture of this period, marked by decorative elements such as the oriel, typical of bourgeois or artisanal houses in the region. Its designation as a historical monument in 1934 underscores its heritage value, particularly for the preservation of this remarkable architectural element.

The location of this house in the Bas-Rhin, Alsace, reflects the historical context of a region then under French influence since the seventeenth century, after its progressive attachment to the kingdom. At that time, bourgeois houses or local notables often incorporated decorative elements on the facade, symbols of social status. These buildings served both as housing and sometimes as a workshop or a place of commerce, reflecting the economic and social life of the Alsatian cities.

The inscription of the Oriel in 1934 by ministerial decree is part of a period of heritage awareness in France, where civil monuments, hitherto less protected than religious or military buildings, are beginning to be recognized for their historical and architectural value. This oriel, a prominent element in corbellation, is characteristic of Alsatian houses and bears witness to the construction techniques and aesthetic tastes of the time.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, confirm the exact address of the building (24 or 197 rue Sainte-Odile) and its membership in the department of Lower Rhine, in the Grand Est region. The accuracy of geolocation is estimated to be poor (note 5/10), which can be explained by differences between historical addresses and modern GPS coordinates. No information is provided on the current use of the building, whether it is open to visitors or not.

Unlike many historical monuments, this house does not seem to be associated with a famous character or a specific landmark event. Its main interest lies in its representativeness of the Alsatian habitat of the early eighteenth century and in the conservation of a remarkable architectural element, the Oriel, which justified its protection. The archives do not mention sponsors or architects, which is common for private houses of that time.

The Merimée base, a reference for French historical monuments, lists this building under the code Insee 67031, confirming its membership in the commune of Bernardswiller. The lack of details of its history after 1934 suggests a mainly residential vocation, without major transformation having altered its original character. The photographs available under Creative Commons license, such as Ralph Hammann's, make it possible to appreciate his current external appearance.

External links