Ravensburg - Seelhaus - Baroque Gable at the End of the Old Town Lane

The historic Seelhaus stands at the end of a narrow street in Ravensburg’s old town, its distinctive Baroque gable framed by neighbouring buildings and the bright blue sky.

The Seelhaus at Bachstraße 1 is one of the distinctive historic buildings in the heart of Ravensburg’s old town, only a short distance from Marienplatz and the town hall. In this photograph, the pale façade with its elegant curved Baroque gable forms a striking focal point at the end of the narrow street, while surrounding buildings and red pedestrian barriers guide the eye toward it. The Seelhaus was founded in 1408 by the Ravensburg patrician Frick Holbein as a hostel for pilgrims. It provided 21 beds, and travellers staying there were expected to pray for the salvation of the founder’s family and the citizens of Ravensburg, giving rise to the building’s unusual name. The institution also owned rural properties whose income helped support charitable assistance for the poor. During the Baroque period, the gable was remodelled into the form visible today, while the building underwent a complete renovation in 1984. The Seelhaus remains a characteristic part of Ravensburg’s well-preserved historic centre.