Maison Kammerzell

The Maison Kammerzell stands at 16 Place de la Cathédrale, on the corner opposite the west facade of the cathedral in Strasbourg, in the Alsace area of France's Grand Est region. It is one of the best-known civil buildings of the city. The stone ground floor dates from 1427, a late-Gothic merchant house, while the richly carved half-timbered upper floors were added in 1589 in Renaissance style. Its facade carries rows of small leaded windows and a dense sequence of carved figures, including biblical scenes, mythological characters, the senses, the ages of man and a range of grotesques and animals. The building was named after a later owner, the grocer Kammerzell, who bought it in the 19th century. It is now a restaurant and hotel, and the interior is known for painted ceilings and panelled rooms, though the main interest for sightseeing is the exterior, which is visible at any time and free to see. Visitors usually spend 15-20 minutes studying the facade and photographing it with the cathedral nearby. Those who want to see the interior can dine in the restaurant, which serves Alsatian dishes such as choucroute and fish, with a phone number of +33 3 88 32 42 14 and details at maison-kammerzell.com. Reservations are advisable for lunch and dinner, especially in summer and in December. The square is crowded from late morning, so early daylight gives the cleanest photographs, with the carved details clearer in side light. The best angle is from across the square, looking back at the facade with the cathedral to one side. The surrounding cobbles are uneven, and groups tend to gather in front of the building, so visitors should be patient when taking pictures.