Maison Pfister, Renaissance house in Old Town, Colmar, France
Maison Pfister is a Renaissance house in Colmar's old quarter with a two-story corner bay window and an octagonal tower. The facade features wooden galleries and painted wall scenes that cover the entire exterior.
Built in 1537 for a wealthy hat merchant, this house marked the beginning of Renaissance style in Colmar. Its construction introduced new architectural approaches to the city.
The building displays a mix of German and French artistic traditions through its painted wall scenes. These murals show biblical and everyday moments, revealing what mattered to people during the 1500s.
The house sits on Rue des Marchands in the center and can be viewed from outside at no cost. The best time to see it is during daylight when sunlight highlights the painted details on the facade.
Inside the octagonal tower sits a wooden spiral staircase that connects multiple floors with intricate carvings. This hidden structural solution reveals the craftsmanship that went into the building.
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