The building known as the Pied Piper’s House or Rattenfängerhaus (“Rat Catcher’s House”) is a half-timbered building in Hamelin. The house derives its name from an inscription on its side, which references the tragic event of the Hameln children’s disappearance in 1284, making it the earliest known version of this tale. According to the inscription, on 26th June 1284, a rat-catcher with a pipe lured away 130 children. The inscription reads:

A.D. 1284 – on the 26th of June – the day of St. John and St. Paul – 130 children – born in Hamelin – were led out of the town by a piper wearing multicoloured clothes. After passing the Calvary near the Koppenberg they disappeared forever.

Constructed between 1602 and 1603, the Pied Piper’s House stands as a splendid representation of Weser Renaissance architecture. Its design and style exemplify the artistic sensibilities of that era.

The Rattenfängerhaus (Pied Piper's House) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hamelin!

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