Zeughausgasse 4

Do you know what an "Eulenloch" is? Here, at one of the oldest townhouses in Southern Germany, you can find one.

This house is already 700 years old. The beams were cut in the winter of 1318/1319, and back then, there was very little wood. The corner beams were placed on stones - which was quite innovative at the time. Previously, the corner beams were buried in the ground, and that's why there are hardly any houses left from that time. At that time, the house didn't have a chimney. There was an open fire on the ground floor, and the smoke essentially wafted through the entire house and exited on the first floor above the living area or through the small triangle, through the so-called 'Eulenloch' (owl hole). The roof was thatched back then. And this smoke, which wafted through the whole house, essentially preserved the beams. That's why they are still there today. More than seventy percent of the house, as you see it now, is still original from the construction period.

But still, what is an Eulenloch? Well, the name 'Eulenloch' comes from the fact that owls flew into the house through the hole to hunt mice. As pest exterminators, they were more than welcome inside the house. Did you know that?

Also interesting is the small ditch in front of the house. Take a look: over the years, the street level has risen significantly. Through the ditch, you can clearly see the original level.