Haus von Orley: a special example of Art Nouveau

Just outside the village, towards Ouren, Von-Orley-Straße 43, stands this special house with a touch of Art Nouveau. Today you will find Café Bergkapel with a special interior and a pleasant terrace.

This plastered stone house was built in 1902 by the architect Wilhelm Kloss. Particularly striking are the decorative elements of the terracotta and white-colored façade. They are typical elements of Art Nouveau (masks for women and men, garlands and plant motifs). No other house of this type is known in the southern part of the German-speaking Community.

Characteristic are the color-contrasting round arches of the windows, some with floral wreaths, abstract flower patterns on the bay window, unprofiled cornices, a men's mask under the bay window and especially above the windows on the right, a garland pattern with a woman's mask. The entrance of the house is designed as a round arch opening with a skylight. Striking here is the wedge stone with the inscription WK (Wilhelm Kloss). The old house bell hangs under the arch decoration. The solidly carved wooden door has a decorative floral pattern and the stone entrance staircase features a filigree wrought iron fence. The roof is a semi-hipped roof with a small unadorned dormer window. These elements are all typical of Art Nouveau.

Jan Rymenams