Das Kleinste Haus Europas (Europe's Smallest House), Bregenz

The house in Bregenz is often presented as the narrowest house in Europe, based on its façade width of just 57 centimetres. More precisely, it is the narrowest house façade in Europe. The measurement applies only to the front wall. Behind this extremely slim frontage, the building widens sharply toward the rear, reaching a more typical residential width. Inside, it functions as a compact but conventional dwelling, which makes its “record” more specific than it first appears.

Architecturally, it is a clear example of parasitic construction. The structure fills a narrow gap between two larger buildings and depends on their side walls. From the street, it appears almost flat, with a door slightly wider than the façade itself. Behind this thin front wall, the interior provides about 60 square metres of living space arranged over several levels, connected by tight staircases and carefully planned rooms.

Compared to other narrow houses, such as those along the canals of Amsterdam or the so-called Narrow House in Bratislava, the key difference lies in depth. Those buildings stay narrow throughout, while this one widens behind its façade. Sold in 2012 and renovated by 2020, it was merged internally with the neighbouring house, though the exterior still shows two separate façades. It remains a protected historical curiosity and a regular stop for visitors.