Old Town Stroll
by german_eagle
Colmar has a very charming old town. I highly recommend to stroll along the small cobbled alleys with picturesque timber-framed townhouses. Take time and don't get hectic - crowds can spoil the joy sometimes, but in this case take the (still) smaller lanes, drop on a seat in one of the tiny cafes and just watch.
I must admit I sometimes felt to be in a German town. The architecture is pretty much medieval German-like. But then again you hear the French language, have a glass of local wine or a cafe au lait and realise it is France - or better Alsace!
Having been to both Strasbourg and Colmar I must admit that Strasbourg offers more for the tourist. More sights, more spectacular architecture, better shopping etc. Colmar is smaller, more familiar. So it depends on your personal preferences which one you like more.
Quartier de Tanneurs
by german_eagle
"Quartier de Tanneurs" (Tanner quarter) is a particularly charming area of Colmar. As the name indicates it was home of the tanners in former centuries. Most of the originally preserved timber-framed houses were built in the 17th/18th century.
1968 - 74 the quarter has been restored. Looks much nicer since then, but unfortunately many people could no longer afford to live there and so the social structure of the quarter has changed.
Although picturesque it made quite a "dead" impression on me.
Isenheimer Altar
by german_eagle
The Isenheimer Altar (1512 - 16) is one of the greatest masterworks of medieval art in Europe. It is the main work of Matthias Grünewald ((1480-1531/32 ?), who probably was a student of Albrecht Dürer.
The altar consists of ten pictures, the biggest of them 265 x 140 cm. Surprising effects of light, brilliant colours, precise physiognomies leave the visitor speechless. Grünewald presents key scenes of Christian religion: a blood-curdling crucification scene, the Annunciation to Maria, a Christmas scene, resurrection of Jesus and the temptation of Jesus.
The altar is completed by wonderfully carved wooden figures by Niclas Hagnower, depicting Augustinus, Antonius, Hieronymus and Christus and the apostles.
Cathedral Saint Martin, south entrance
by JLBG
The south entrance is dedicated to saint Nicholas. It is one of the earliest parts of the church and dates from the second half of the 13th. It is partly Romanesque, partly Gothic.
The lowest part of the tympanum has a Romanesque semi-circular arch with Saint Nicolas represented with on one side 3 maids that he saved from an ill fate (prostitution ?) as their father (far left) was ruined and could not pay for their dowry. He put money in their socks that were hanged for drying. On the other side, 3 lads figuring the children that were killed, cut in pieces and put in a salting-tub by a butcher and that he resuscitate.
The upper part of the tympanum is a Gothic arch with the scenery of the Last Judgment.
More 15 and 16C Paintings and Wood Sculptures
by hquittner
A number of paintings and sculptures of the 15 and 16C are also on view in the nave and the adjacent galleries. The best paintings are by Cranach (The Melancholy) and a Female Portrait (by Hans Holbein the Elder) and what may possibly be the first still life, from 1470 (anonymous). 16C wood sculptures expand the period with works of Master H.L., Veit Wagner and others.
Old Tled Roofed Building
East Side of Koifhus
Nave St. Martin Toward East
The Angel's Concert
