Zumsteinhaus, Heritage monument in Kempten, Germany.
The Zumsteinhaus is a free-standing, three-storey house at Residenzplatz 31, built in 1802 for the Zumstein de la Pierre merchant family. Its north-facing main facade has five to six axes and a mansard roof. The ground-floor windows are barred and framed by rusticated plaster with diamond panels, St Andrew's crosses and keystones. The central portal has a carved door with lion-head knockers, flanked by two half-columns linked by a balcony grille bearing the monogram VSZ.
The building was erected in 1802, when Kempten was a prosperous trading town. After more than 150 years, it came into the city's ownership in 1951.
The building displays the style favored by wealthy merchants in Kempten at that time, with design elements you can see repeated throughout the city. Looking at the facade shows how such structures shaped the town's appearance.
The house sits on Residenzplatz in the center and is easy to reach on foot. Parking is available nearby and the building is clearly visible from outside, making a visit straightforward.
From 2003 to 2015 the Zumsteinhaus served as a living Advent calendar during the Christmas season, with its windows used to count down the days. The building was closed from May 2015 for renovation, and the Kempten-Museum opened in it on 6–8 December 2019.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,368 contributors worldwide.
