Maison Pfister

In 1537, the hatter Ludwig Scherer, who had gained fortune from money trading in the Val de Liepvre, commissioned the construction of the Pfister mansion for his family. Despite retaining some medieval characteristics, the house is considered to be Colmar's first example of an architectural renaissance.

One of the most recognizable features of old Colmar is the Pfister house, known for its two-story corner oriel, wood gallery, octagonal turret, and mural paintings depicting biblical and secular scenes. It was remodeled by a family who called it home from 1841 until 1892, which is where the name came from. It is considered a historical monument due to its status as a significant landmark in the city of Colmar.

What to look at in Mason Pfister?

Built in Rouffach yellow stoneware and wood, this jewel of architecture is distinguished by its two-story corner oriel and turret.

The building has a ground floor with an arched arch, two floors with window windows, triplets, crosses, and two attic levels. The oriel occupies two floors: at the bottom of curvy warheads of Gothic survival, at the top gallery with a wooden balustrade. The screw staircase turret, of an octagonal plan, is topped with a bulb.

The images and paintings on the exterior of the building take their inspiration from the Bible and the Old Testament, but there are also pictures of Germanic monarchs.

The paintings that embellish the facades, attributed to Christian Vacksterffer, represent the Germanic emperors of the 16th century (painted bas-relief medallions), coats of arms (the Empire, Colmar, Upper Alsace, the Four Evangelists, the fathers of the Western Church, scenes of Genesis and allegorical figures.

This house also boasts beautifully carved balconies and the city view from those balconies is spectacular.