Ancienne Douane, Renaissance administrative building in Colmar, France.
The Ancienne Douane is a rectangular Renaissance administrative building with symmetrical facades and ornate decorative details. The structure features large ground-floor archways, decorated railings, and is connected by a wooden loggia with a right-angled staircase that provides access to different levels of the building.
Built in 1480, the structure originally functioned as a customs house where all imported goods were inspected and controlled. It later became the administrative seat of the Décapole, a federation of ten medieval cities that governed the region.
The building displays characteristic Renaissance motifs such as human masks and fluted pilasters across its facades. These decorative elements give the structure the typical refinement of that artistic period and make it stand out as an example of skilled craftsmanship.
The building is centrally located on Grand'Rue and is easily accessible on foot. Today it houses rotating exhibitions and a restaurant where visitors can take a break.
The building stands out through its combination of monumental arches and an elegant wooden loggia with sophisticated staircase geometry. This unusual mix of solid construction and wooden elements creates an interesting visual contrast that blends Renaissance refinement with practical craftsmanship.
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