House without roof, Cave house in Kallmünz, Germany

The House without Roof is a residential structure in Kallmünz where stone walls with door and window openings connect directly to a natural cave in the rock face. The cave itself serves as the rear portion of the dwelling, with only the front facade built from masonry.

The cave dwelling is first documented in a 1707 deed kept in the Amberg land-registry archive; in the 19th century it was called "Haus unter dem Felsen". In 1908 it was sold to the owner of the smithy standing in front of it on the road, and it remains in that family. Its last permanent resident left in 1937 after contracting rheumatism from the damp cave air.

The name "Haus ohne Dach" (House without Roof) is misleading: a roof was installed inside the cave to keep water out, though it is invisible from the street. The cave dwelling is entered between the listed houses at Vilsgasse 26 and 28, and the novel Rosalie by Berni Mayer is partly set in and around it.

The site sits along Vilsgasse street in the village of Kallmünz and is easily reached on foot while exploring the area. The entrance is accessible from the street, though visitors should take care when approaching depending on the weather or ground conditions.

Inside the cave dwelling a roof was built to keep water out, but it cannot be seen from the street. The last permanent resident left in 1937 after developing rheumatism from the damp cave air. The cave home also appears in Berni Mayer's novel Rosalie.