The building is located on the Neckar riverfront and is one of the most popularly known sites in Tübingen.

Hölderlin was forcibly admitted by his family to the clinic of physician Johann Autenrieth on September 15, 1806.

Hölderlin was released on May 3, 1807, around the same time as Zimmer's purchase, with a prognosis of incurable illness and three years to live ("höchstens noch drei Jahre").

He also received visitors from the neighboring Tübinger Stift, the school Hölderlin himself had once attended.

A visit to the ailing Hölderlin by Eduard Mörike and Wilhelm Waiblinger, both known for their relationship to Hölderlin, is documented by Hermann Hesse in his 1914 short story "Im Presselschen Gartenhaus" ("In Pressel's Garden-House").