Maison des Rochers de Graufthal, Ancient rock dwelling in Eschbourg, France
The Maison des Rochers de Graufthal consists of three houses built partially into red sandstone cliffs that rise about 23 feet (7 meters) above the village street. The rock faces themselves form the back walls and often the ceilings of these living spaces.
After the devastating wars of the 17th century, families who had lost their homes found refuge by building living spaces within natural rock cavities and hollows. These dwellings arose from the need to create shelter quickly and with minimal resources.
These rock houses show how people in this region integrated their homes directly into the stone, using the natural cliffs as walls and ceilings. You can still see how resourcefully and skillfully the inhabitants worked with their surroundings.
It's best to allow some time for your visit to explore the rooms and their details at a relaxed pace. The site is accessible on foot from the village, though the steps up are steep but manageable for most visitors.
Interestingly, some rooms combine natural rock ceilings with artificially added tile roofs to close gaps and keep water out. A historic match factory operated in one of the upper shelters, reminding visitors of the industrial use of this unusual location.
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