Fancy a stroll through time? That is what awaits us on Rue de la Grange. This Strasbourg street holds secrets of medieval life. It offers glimpses into a city’s evolution.
Rue de la Grange is not just a street. It is a pedestrian zone connecting Rue du Coin-Brûlé to Place Kléber. Its history is long and interesting.
Once upon a time, there were two streets. There was a “small” and a “large” Rue de la Grange. The name comes from a grain store Stadelhof. The cathedral factory ceded it to the Dominicans in 1253. This exchange gave the street its identity.
Imagine a devastating fire in 1327. It destroyed 46 houses near Rue de la Grange. The street landscape changed forever.
In 1912, the “large” Rue de la Grange disappeared. It was absorbed by the new Rue du 22-Novembre. However some old houses were saved. They stand as silent witnesses to the past.
The street’s name has seen changes too. In 1302, it was Kleine Stadelgasse. By 1341, it became Klein Stadelgässlein. The 18th century saw it called petite rue de la Stadel. During the French Revolution it was named rue des Trophées in 1794. It briefly became Petite rue de la Grange in 1795. Under German rule it was Kleine Gtadelgasse again. Finally in 1918, it reverted to Rue de la Grange. In Alsatian it is called Klein Stadelgass. Since 1995 bilingual street signs mark its corners.
What makes Rue de la Grange special today? The buildings at its corners. At number 2 is a sculpture. Two lions hold a bretzel. Number 4 is another notable building. Number 12 stands at the corner of Place Kléber. These landmarks frame the street’s character.
Rue de la Grange whispers tales of granaries. It recalls fires and name changes. It connects the past with the present. As you walk feel the echoes of Strasbourg’s rich heritage.