To Alsace

On Thursday we concluded our short stay in Germany by heading for the Alsace region of France.  Long disputed by both France and Germany, it shows a unique blend of both.  Our first stop was in Strasbourg, of which the old city is a UNESCO World Heritage site dominated by its cathedral.  At 142 metres (466 feet), it was the world’s tallest building from 1647 to 1874. Today it is the sixth-tallest church in the world and the highest extant structure built entirely in the Middle Ages.  While much of it is Romanesque architecture, it is considered to be among the finest examples of high, or late, Gothic architecture.  It’s also well know for its magnificent astronomical clock which, like so many of these attractions today was surrounded by scaffolding for restoration purposes.  After Strasbourg, it was on to our home for the next three nights in the picturesque village of Beblenheim.  Our ‘gite’ was in an old timber frame farmhouse that had been part of a vineyard operation.  As is typical of those old buildings, there’s not a level floor or square wall in the place, but it’s cozy and comfortable and been updated with all the mod-cons.  Speaking of vineyards, Marlborough’s would be a drop in the bucket here.  If it’s not forest it’s vineyards and every little village has several ‘caves’ or cellars of local wines.

Another attraction of the Alsace for a castle fanatic like myself is the multitude in the region.  One of the finest is Haut-Koenigsbourg which was the target for Friday.  It’s easy enough to find as it dominates the landscape for kilometres around although it’s quite a drive up the mountain to it.  Built in the 12th century, it had fallen into ruin by the 19th century when Germany annexed the Alsace in 1871.  Gifted to Kaiser Wilhelm by the local community, he decided to have it restored as representative of the German claims to the area.  It was restored to its state of 1479 in an 8 year restoration and shows the German influence.  After WWI, when Alsace was returned to France, the castle became part of the French historical monuments program and is one of the finest medieval castles in France.  Its condition and situation make it a must see for any castle lover.  Saturday we’re into Colmar to see ‘petite Venise’, but that’s for the next post.