Perhaps it’s the storks themselves that chose this spot. Welcome to the Maison dite Aux Cigognes. This house at 14, rue des Orfèvres in Strasbourg is not just any building. It’s a place steeped in history and local lore. The Maison dite Aux Cigognes has stood here since at least 1433. Back then it was known as Zum den Storchen. That’s old German for “At the storks”.
Imagine Strasbourg in the 17th century. In 1672 the goldsmith Jacob Oberlin and his wife Anne Ursule Waldeck purchased this house. Then in 1695 they sold it to another goldsmith Jean-Louis I Imlin.
The Maison dite Aux Cigognes continued its association with fine craftsmanship. By 1785 master goldsmith Jacques Henri Alberti had his workshop here. He lived here with his wife Catherine Salomé Emmerich. Another goldsmith Jean Louis Buttner set up shop here in 1803.
But why storks? In Alsace storks symbolize fertility and good fortune. Legend says they bring babies. Since 1840 the image of the stork delivering babies became popular. The engraver J.F. Wentzel spread the image through his art. He wrote Storick Storick stipper di Bein. This translates to “Stork stork stretch your legs. Bring to mother a baby home.”
Centuries ago people believed storks were messengers of the goddess Holda. She was responsible for reincarnating souls. The stork would deliver babies to parents who wished for them. Expectant mothers would put sugar on their windowsills to attract a stork. The stork would find a baby near a spring where elves brought souls.
Legend also claims a stork flew around Jesus during his crucifixion. This made them symbols of resurrection. A stork nesting on your house meant a birth was coming. They also protected against lightning.
Storks are good luck in almost every way. They bring fertility faithfulness wealth health and protection. They rid fields of snakes. By the 20th century the stork legend had spread far beyond Alsace.
Sadly by 1972 only ten pairs of white storks remained in Alsace. Conservation efforts began. Today storks thrive again here. Just sixty kilometers from here is Ribeauvillé. The two towers of Ribeauvillé each have a stork’s nest.
Consider the Maison dite Aux Cigognes a symbol of hope rebirth and the enduring charm of Alsatian folklore. The portail with bas-relief of the Maison dite Aux Cigognes was officially listed as a historical monument in 1929. Today it stands as a testament to Strasbourg’s rich past. It reminds us of the tales and traditions that continue to shape its identity.