Maison du sel, Historic hospital in Wissembourg, France
The Maison du sel is a building in Wissembourg featuring a distinctive four-story roof with large ventilation dormers on each level. Its facades and interior retain traces of its earlier uses as a hospital and later as a salt storage facility.
The building was constructed in 1448 and initially served as a hospital before later being converted into a salt storage facility and then a slaughterhouse. These successive uses shaped its history over several centuries.
The structure reveals medieval craftsmanship mixed with Renaissance details through its sandstone walls and traditional wooden framework. The visible construction techniques show how the building evolved across different periods of its use.
The building received protected monument status in 1998, safeguarding its facades, roofing, and original structures. Access to the interior typically requires advance notice, as it is not regularly open to casual visitors.
The interior preserves a former patient room that rises over five meters high, with monumental supports partially concealed within the walls. This unusual ceiling height was needed for medical purposes and air circulation.
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