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Origin and history

Beatus Rhenanus' home, located at 8 Bornert Street in Séletat (Bas-Rhin), is an emblematic building of the Alsatian Renaissance. Dating from the 15th–15th century, it is characterized by its Renaissance bays, although its large work may go back to an earlier period, as evidenced by its angle chains and sandstone crows. The staircase, the attic and some windows were redesigned in the 18th or 19th centuries, reflecting adaptations related to its use by farmers or wine growers, as attested by a barn that had now disappeared (demolished in 1984).

Beatus Rhenanus (1485–1447), by his Latinized name Beat Bild, was an Alsatian humanist scholar whose personal collection, consisting of 670 leather bound volumes, is inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World register. These include rare pieces such as a Merovingian lectionary or an edition of the Book of Miracles of Saint Foy (XI century). This collection, preserved at the Séletat Humanist Library, illustrates the cultural importance of the region during the Renaissance.

The house was listed as historical monuments in 1984 for its facades, roofs and entrance porch. Private property, it embodies the intellectual and architectural heritage of Alsace, between medieval heritage and renaissant influences. His history thus blends scholarly memory with rural life, as evidenced by his successive transformations.

According to historian Alexandre Dorlan, this residence belonged to Beatus Rhenanus' father, although the direct documentary evidence is missing. Architectural elements, such as sandstone crows, suggest an older origin than Renaissance additions, highlighting the complexity of its evolution. The demolition of the barn in 1984 revealed traces of its agricultural occupation, confirming its mixed use over the centuries.

The location of the house, in the heart of Séletat, a city marked by its humanist history, reinforces its status as a symbol. The building, although partially modified, retains original features (baths, porch) which make it a privileged witness of the transition between the Middle Ages and the modern era in Alsace. Its designation as a historical monument protects today the most representative elements.

The house is also linked to the Séletat Humanist Library, where the Beatus Rhenanus collection is deposited. This link between built heritage and written heritage underscores the importance of Séletat as a cultural home during the Renaissance, attracting readers and lovers of rare books. The building thus remains an essential milestone in understanding the Alsatian intellectual heritage.

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