Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Bohn House is an iconic building located at the 50 Grand-Rue in Colmar, Haut-Rhin department. Built in 1614, as attests to a date engraved in the stairwell, it is distinguished by its small size (85.53 m2) and its unusual location in the heart of a medieval island, accessible only by a private inner courtyard. Its architecture, though modest, reveals remarkable details, including a wood-pan sculpted decoration considered one of the most interesting in the city.

The gable wall of the Bohn house is decorated with protomes of dogs holding a ring in their mouth, a rare and symbolic motif. A volute crowns the top of the gable, while traces of ancient paintings remain on the hourdis. Inside, the staircase, decorated with chanting motifs, features three-level baluster ramps. Despite subsequent changes, such as the modification of its roof, the building was classified as a historic monument on June 26, 1990 for its heritage interest.

The Bohn house illustrates the Alsatian craftsmanship of the early seventeenth century, mixing structural simplicity and decorative richness. Its wood panel, although sober, incorporates curule chair motifs under the first floor three-sleeve bay, while arabesque friezes and palmettes adorn the frames. These elements, combined with its urban history, make it a valuable testimony to the Colmarian heritage, despite its small size.

Owned by the town of Colmar, the Bohn house is now protected for its authenticity and originality. Its classification among historical monuments underscores its role in the preservation of old Colmar, where wood-paned constructions, although numerous, rarely present such a elaborate decor. Its state of conservation and its architectural peculiarities make it a subject of study for Alsatian art and urban historians.

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