Visit the collegiate church of Saint-Martin in Colmar

Traces of the first Saint-Martin chapel in Colmar date back to around the year 1000. Excavations carried out in 1972 revealed the presence of an 11th-century sanctuary that was destroyed by fire in 1106 and replaced by a Romanesque church.

The current Gothic collegiate church was rebuilt between 1235 and 1365. The use of Vosges sandstone in warm tones ranging from light yellow to violet gives the church all its beauty. The building was never fully completed, as the originally planned north tower is still missing.

Following another violent fire in 1572, the framework and crown of the south tower were destroyed. Three years later, the tower was replaced by the original bulbous lantern that gives the building its characteristic silhouette.

Colmarians have long regarded the collegiate church of Saint-Martin as the city's cathedral. In reality, the collegiate church of Saint-Martin was only a real cathedral for around ten years. During the French Revolution, a bishop moved to Colmar and turned the church building into the constitutional cathedral of the Haut-Rhin.

However, the two constitutional bishops who succeeded each other never succeeded in establishing themselves and organising a diocese. The Concordat put an end to this in 1802, and Saint-Martin found itself "demoted" to a parish church, although it is still often referred to as the "cathedral" or the "collegiate church". The building has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1840.

The collegiate church of Saint-Martin is a fine example of the Gothic style in Alsace. It is built of sandstone, a rock that is abundant in the Vosges region, which comes in different colours from different quarries. This is part of the charm of the church from the outside!

The church is surrounded by numerous portals (some of which have been bricked up), the largest of which feature a richly decorated tympanum. The colourful tiled roof gives the building added character. Finally, the massive pillars of the façade, in a rather rare architectural style, give the building a rather heavy appearance when viewed from the front, contrasting with the airy appearance of the windows in the apse.

Push open the doors of the church to discover the interior of this religious building steeped in history. The interior was damaged during the French Revolution and now looks rather plain.

Despite this, the church has some very well-preserved sculptures and stained glass windows from the Middle Ages. The collegiate church of Saint-Martin is also home to a fine organ, the case of which was built in the 18th

century by the famous Strasbourg organ builder Silbermann. A second organ, located in the choir, allows concerts to be given with two organs.

For many centuries, the church was also home to the famous Madonna of the Rose Bush, painted in 1473 by Martin Schongauer. It was stolen in 1972, then fortuitously recovered in 1973 and moved to the Dominican church, where it is now preserved.

Right next to the Saint-Martin collegiate church, Le 3 is a restaurant serving good brasserie food and a few Alsatian specialities. Simple, tasty food in a warm atmosphere. In fine weather, you can also enjoy a terrace with a view of the church!

When it's time for a snack, head for the Maison Alsacienne de la Biscuiterie, on the Place de la Cathédrale. Over the years, it has become a veritable institution in Alsace, and is the ideal place to sample local specialities such as the famous Bredele, the traditional Kougelhopfs and the famous gingerbread. Bon appétit!

Less than 200 metres from the collegiate church, the Hôtel Saint-Martin offers rooms decorated in typical Alsatian style. In a traditional setting, this hotel promises a romantic stay full of charm. Enjoy a breakfast featuring a variety of local products. And to make matters worse, the welcome is particularly warm!