An extraordinarily narrow building known as the "Schwindsuchthäuschen" has become a curious landmark in Bayreuth, Germany. At just two meters (approximately six feet) wide facing the city church, this unusual structure is barely as wide as a mid-size car, making it the narrowest house in the Bavarian city. However, the building only truly deserves this designation on one side, explains night watchman and city tour guide Wolfgang Kielblock, as it presents a broader front when viewed from Kämmereigasse street.
The remarkable three-story building was designed by French architect Joseph Saint-Pierre around 1750. Prior to creating this peculiar structure, Saint-Pierre had worked on much more impressive projects commissioned by the Margrave couple Friedrich and Wilhelmine, including the Hermitage, Sanspareil, the Margravial Opera House, and what is now the city hall. The exact reason why the architect gave the house its extraordinary shape remains unclear, though it may have simply been intended to fill a gap between two existing buildings.
Located at the back of Kirchplatz (Church Square) and belonging to the house at Kämmereigasse 3, the Schwindsuchthäuschen is a three-story gabled plaster building with a hipped roof. The second upper floor features plastered half-timbering, characteristic of its 1750s construction period. The building has become a popular curiosity featured in city tours, drawing visitors intrigued by its unusual dimensions and mysterious origins.
Several legends and stories have developed around this narrow house over the centuries. One tale that tour guide Wolfgang Kielblock particularly enjoys telling involves the local marriage customs of the time. According to this story, couples were only allowed to marry in the church if they were residents of Bayreuth. To circumvent this rule, the local clergyman would arrange for out-of-town brides and their families to spend one or two nights in the tiny house, which would then qualify as a Bayreuth residence. This arrangement benefited both parties – couples could get married as planned, and the pastor earned money from performing the ceremonies.
Another local tradition suggests that the city church's organist once lived in the Schwindsuchthäuschen. If true, this would indicate that the organist's standing in the community may not have been particularly high, given that he was assigned to live in the city's narrowest house. Historical records also mention that the tower keeper had his residence in the towers of the city church itself, where he was responsible for keeping night watch and ringing the church bells whenever he spotted a fire breaking out anywhere in the city.
The narrow design of the Schwindsuchthäuschen reflects the historical reality of medieval urban planning in Bayreuth. The city had frequently suffered from major fires, with the entire city being reduced to rubble and ash on two separate occasions. Fires spread quickly and easily in those days partly because houses were built very close together due to limited space within the protective city walls. The Schwindsuchthäuschen, squeezed in between existing buildings, serves as a perfect example of how every available inch of space was utilized within the city's fortified boundaries.
Regardless of the true history behind its various uses over the centuries, the Schwindsuchthäuschen remains a charming curiosity in Bayreuth's urban landscape. The building continues to fascinate both locals and tourists, standing as a testament to creative architectural solutions and the ingenuity required to make the most of limited urban space in historical German cities.
