Maison de la boîte à mouches, Medieval house in Colmar, France
The Maison de la boîte à mouches is a tiny residential house in Colmar with traditional half-timbered construction and a colorfully painted exterior. It stands at Place de l'Ecole and draws attention with its distinctly narrow footprint, making it one of the smallest dwellings in the old town.
The building was reconstructed in 1948 following World War II damage while maintaining its original medieval character. During the Middle Ages this location served as part of the monitored entry point for merchants approaching the old town.
The building goes by the Alsatian name Muckekaschtele and displays the traditional half-timbered style with painted wood beams typical of the old town. Its narrow form and colorful exterior reflect how people once lived in tight urban spaces within the medieval walls.
The house sits in the central district of Colmar near Place Rapp and suits walking exploration of the old town. Its distinctive narrow facade is clearly visible from the street and easy to spot among other buildings.
The name refers to small containers once used to trap houseflies in everyday households across the region. These practical devices were so common that they gave the house its lasting name.
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