The Wine Store (Weinstadel) is one of Nuremberg's most beautiful buildings. Two half-timbered storeys rise above the ground floor fashioned from sandstone ashlars. The front towards the river Pegnitz boasts wooden galleries with metal gargoyles, and there is a bridge with a covered walkway towards the Hangman's Bridge. During the 13th century, this was the course of the "last-but-one city fortification", which connected the two parts of the town by bridging the river Pegnitz.
Originally the building, erected in 1446/48, was a infirmary housing people suffering from leprosy. They were allowed to live within the city for three days during Holy Week and – in addition to receiving food and clothing – were also examined by a doctor.
From about 1571, the building served as a wine store, later on as a work house and spinning house and as accommodation for poor families. It now has a thoroughly modernised interior and today is a student hall of accommodation.
