Alsace, France—3 Historical Places to Visit
Welcome to Issue XXIII of Historical Architecture Destinations! Today we're diving into three historical places to visit in the Alsace region of France.
Alsace beginnings: Celts to Romans
Originally occupied by the Celtic Gauls, in the first century BC the region was built up by the Romans with many towns evolving out of Roman beginnings.
Eventually falling to German tribes in the 4th century and later to the Franks. The region became a major trade route in the Middle Ages and prospered. French influence began in the 16th century with full control being established under Louis XIV.
After the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 the region was annexed to Germany.
The entire region has changed hands from German and French control over the centuries. Today it has its very own distinctive Alsatian culture blending both German and French influences.
The biggest city in Alsace is Strasbourg and we cover the history behind the city and three historical places to visit in Strasbourg this article.
Today we’re diving into three historical places to visit in Alsace and our first location is set amongst fairy-tale like half-timbered houses and scenic canals.
1. Colmar
Almost an hour south of Strasbourg with around 70,000 inhabitants is the picturesque town of Colmar.
Like its northern sister Strasbourg, Colmar followed a similar historic change of hands over the years. From being a free imperial city under the Holy Roman Empire (granted even earlier than Strasbourg) to becoming prosperous in the Middle Ages. Largely spared from destruction of the French Revolution, Franco-Prussian wars and WWI and WWII nearly eight centuries of distinctly Alsatian architecture is still present.
Easily explored on foot you’ll find its most charming district coined La Petite Venise (Little Venice). With flower-strewn lined canals amongst a backdrop of cotton-candy colored half-timbered houses.
Our next historical place in Alsace is perched high on top of a hill offering stunning views of the region.
2. Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Constructed in the 12th century the fortress adopted a new name Koenigsburg meaning royal castle after it was built.
In 1462 the unified nearby cities set the castle ablaze and the castle ruins were granted to the Tiersteins by the Habsburgs. The following rebuild and enlargement of the castle was the golden age for this newly formidable castle. However during the thirty years war Swedish forces set fire to the castle in 1633 and it was left abandoned for nearly two hundred years.
When the Alsace region was annexed to Germany in 1871 the castle ruins were a gift to Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1899.
And he undertook a dedicated restoration project of the medieval castle. The castle you see today was completed in 1908. Wilhelm II hoped to achieve historical accuracy when rebuilding the castle and inside is a collection of weapons and furniture mostly from the 16th - 17th centuries.
Our next historical place in Alsace is an even smaller village than Colmar but no less charming.
3. Riquewihr
One of the best preserved medieval towns in Alsace is the small village of Riquewihr.
This fortified village was built in the 16th century as a trading post for German and Alsatian wine. And today Riquewihr is known for its Riesling wine. The village is set among sprawling vineyards across rolling hills.
Many of the half-timbered colorful houses are listed as Historical Monuments today.
Conclusion
The entire region of Alsace is dotted with charming villages and picturesque castles that hold nearly eight centuries of history.
Want to learn more about Strasbourg? Dive into the Historical Architecture Destinations issue on Strasbourg and journey through three of its historic buildings.
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Amazing to see places untouched by all the wars over the years. I just assume every town or landmark has been burned down at least once when you feature it ha
These sights make a fabulous hiking route.