Büchmesser, Medieval pillar near Cathedral Notre-Dame, Strasbourg, France

The Büchmesser is a reddish-brown sandstone pillar at the corner of 11 rue Mercière and the parvis of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Strasbourg. It stands beside a wall with a pointed archway and has a cylindrical shaft with a rounded base, a capital, and two raised ring bands. It supports the overhang of the former pharmacy of the Cerf.

This column was built in 1567 during Strasbourg's Renaissance period and stands as a remnant from that era. It gained protected historical status in 1936 and underwent complete restoration work in 2016.

The pillar was connected to a playful custom where city officials would try to squeeze through the narrow gap after festive meals. This served as a humorous check on their waistlines and was woven into Strasbourg's local tradition.

The site is easy to reach on foot since it sits directly at a lively square near the Cathedral. It is helpful to visit during daylight hours to see and photograph the column clearly.

The column still displays visible decorative rings that were replicated during its thorough 2016 restoration by heritage specialists. These details show how experts used historical craftsmanship techniques to recreate its original appearance.