Affenkasten, Historical building in Aarau, Switzerland.
The Affenkasten is a historical building on Hintere Vorstadt in Aarau with a three-part facade and steeply angled decorative gables. The structure displays neo-Gothic architectural features and now houses a major bookstore.
The building was constructed in 1904 for the Feldschlösschen brewery and replaced three older town houses that previously stood at this location. Its name references the Brewery zum Affenkasten from 1850, which gave the site its distinctive identity.
The building served as a gathering space for local associations and hosted various artistic events before its conversion to a bookstore. This role made it an important part of the city's cultural life for decades.
The building is located in the old town and easily accessible as it sits on a main street. Visitors can admire it from outside and explore the bookstore inside, which operates during standard retail hours.
Monkey statues are mounted above the entrances on the roof, giving the place its unusual name. These decorative figures serve as a charming reminder of the site's long-standing identity when you pass by on the street.
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