Place de la Cathedral is situated at Strasbourg’s highest point. The attraction of the cathedral ensures that it still a place of perpetual activity. But two other buildings deserve our particular attention.
The
first is the “Kammerzell house”, the largest and most decorated
of all the half-timbered houses in Strasbourg. Its facade contains seventy-five
windows framed by sculptures illustrating religious and secular themes.
The only part left of the mediaeval building was the ground floor with its
triple arch. The other storeys were reconstructed, making way for the splendid
Renaissance construction we see today. It was known as the “Altes
Haus” (old house) until the middle of 19th century when it was bought
by a grocer, P. F. Kammerzell. The building became municipal property in
1879 and was classed as a historical monument. Today it houses a restaurant.
A little further, opposite the west portals of the cathedral, can be seen
the former ”Pharmacie du Cerf”, which is reputed to be the oldest
pharmacy in France, having been first mentioned in the 13th century. Its
ground floor, with arcades decorated with branches and snakes, belongs to
that period. The upper floor dates from the 16th century.