Maison des Chevaliers de Saint-Jean (House of the St. John's Knights), Colmar

Nestled in the heart of Colmar’s picturesque old town, the House of the Saint John’s Knights (Maison des Chevaliers de Saint‑Jean) is an architectural gem that enchants visitors with its Renaissance elegance. Though its name conjures images of knightly orders from the Middle Ages, this handsome house was built in 1608, not by the Johannite knights, but by architect Albert Schmidt, who also crafted celebrated local landmarks like the Maison des Têtes and Maison des Arcades.

A closer look reveals that what stands today is a faithful 19th-century reconstruction of the original façade-it was dismantled, possibly moved to Germany, and later reassembled in Colmar to preserve its unique historic character. Its architecture is unmistakably inspired by Venetian palaces, with a two-story gallery of elegantly arched arcades. The first-floor gallery is crowned by cross vaulting, the second by ribbed vaults, all framed by a carved stone balustrade and encrusted with decorative rose motifs on the railings.

Today, the house is protected as a Historical Monument, appreciated not only for its sublime beauty but also for the mystery surrounding its name-despite the local lore, the building never belonged to any knightly order, and its association with the Knights of Saint John remains unexplained. Located in the atmospheric Tanners' Quarter (Quartier des Tanneurs), it's a striking counterpoint to the colorful half‑timbered houses and winding canals that give Colmar its storybook charm.

Whether you're admiring the façade from the street or pausing in the quiet courtyard beyond, the House of the Saint John’s Knights invites reflection on Colmar’s layered history, melding Italian Renaissance flair with Germanic Renaissance traditions. It’s an essential photo stop for architecture lovers and a hidden gem that rewards those strolling beyond the main squares.