Maison Kammerzell

Overview

The Maison Kammerzell is the finest Renaissance house in Strasbourg — a fabulously ornate 15th-century timber frame building on the cathedral square, its facade smothered in 75 individually carved wooden panels depicting biblical, mythological, and secular scenes.

Highlights

• The Facade: 75 carved wooden panels and mullioned windows cover three overhanging stories — each panel is unique.
• Ground Floor: The stone ground floor dates from 1427, while the extravagant timber-framed upper stories were added in 1589.
• The Restaurant: The building houses an acclaimed Alsatian restaurant where you can dine surrounded by medieval woodwork.

History

Built in 1427 with a stone merchant's ground floor, the house was transformed in 1589 by cheese merchant Martin Braun, who added the lavishly decorated upper stories. The name Kammerzell derives from a later 19th-century owner. The building was meticulously restored in the 1990s.

Visitor Tips

• Look Up: The carvings reward close inspection — bring binoculars for the upper stories.
• Dinner: Dining inside is the best way to experience the medieval interior; book in advance.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes from outside.