Maison Pfister (Pfister House), Colmar (must see)
Behind the Zum Kragen House at 11 Merchants Street (Rue des Marchands) is the Pfister House (Maison Pfister), often called "a real gem" from the Middle Ages. It is the most well-known house in Colmar. Built in 1537 for hatter Ludwig Scherer, it replaced a building sometimes called the "Red Rooster" or "the Black Hands."
From 1790 to 1830, it changed hands between haberdasher Charles Macker and merchant Francois Jean Pfister (hence its name today). Since 1892 it has been in the Judlin family of wholesalers who restored the Maison in 1909.
The Pfister House, made of Rouffach sandstone and wood, has a two-story corner bay window and turret. There are arched arcades on the ground floor and mullioned, triple-crossed windows on the other two stories. There are two attic levels. Underneath are curved stone Gothic ogives. On top of the oriel, which covers two floors, is a wood balustrade.
The house has a spiral staircase octagonal turret with a bulb crown. Paintings on the facade, credited to artist Christian Vacksterffer, depict Germanic emperors of the 16th century. Also represented are the escutcheons of Colmar and Haute-Alsace, the four Evangelists, the Western Church Fathers, and scenes from Genesis.
From 1790 to 1830, it changed hands between haberdasher Charles Macker and merchant Francois Jean Pfister (hence its name today). Since 1892 it has been in the Judlin family of wholesalers who restored the Maison in 1909.
The Pfister House, made of Rouffach sandstone and wood, has a two-story corner bay window and turret. There are arched arcades on the ground floor and mullioned, triple-crossed windows on the other two stories. There are two attic levels. Underneath are curved stone Gothic ogives. On top of the oriel, which covers two floors, is a wood balustrade.
The house has a spiral staircase octagonal turret with a bulb crown. Paintings on the facade, credited to artist Christian Vacksterffer, depict Germanic emperors of the 16th century. Also represented are the escutcheons of Colmar and Haute-Alsace, the four Evangelists, the Western Church Fathers, and scenes from Genesis.
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Maison Pfister (Pfister House) on Map
Sight Name: Maison Pfister (Pfister House)
Sight Location: Colmar, France (See walking tours in Colmar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Colmar, France (See walking tours in Colmar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Colmar, France
Create Your Own Walk in Colmar
Creating your own self-guided walk in Colmar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bartholdi's Statues in Colmar
Auguste Bartholdi is one of the most famous artists from Colmar. His works, such as the Lion of Belfort in Belfort, France, and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, are known around the world. Colmar is decorated with open-air pieces sculpted by the artist.
Many of Bartholdi's statues are found in fountains that occupy spaces in city squares or on significant street corners. Some of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Many of Bartholdi's statues are found in fountains that occupy spaces in city squares or on significant street corners. Some of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles
Colmar Introduction Walking Tour
Charlemagne was well acquainted with Colmar in his wars with the Saxons from 772 to 804 AD. Carolingian emperor Charles the Fat held an assembly there in 884. It was a free imperial city under Emperor Frederick II in 1226. Captured and held by Sweden in 1632, it was conquered at last by Louis XIV of France in 1673.
In 1871 it was annexed by the German Empire as a result of the Franco-Prussian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
In 1871 it was annexed by the German Empire as a result of the Franco-Prussian... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles