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Saint-Martin Church in Colmar
Colmar and surrounding
Temples, Churches
Temples, Churches

As a rule, the city has only one main church, but in Colmar, three churches are eligible for this role: the Dominican, the Franciscan (Saint-Matthieu), and Saint-Martin. The latter is sometimes called the cathedral (although it never had an episcopal cathedra, there was only a chapter, a gathering of the clergy), and the square in front of it is called the "Square of the Cathedral". So it's not for nothing Saint-Martin bears the title of the main church.

During the reconstruction in 1981, restorers discovered the remains of the 10th-century chapel foundation and traces of its expansion in the 12th century. The building that we see now was built from yellow sandstone in the 14th century, but, as often happened in the Middle Ages, the work was not completed due to a fire. As a result, only one tower remained from Saint-Martin, as well as from Rouen Cathedral. Today, the tower has a sundial and a philosophical inscription: "memento mori" (remember that you are mortal).

The temple looks very massive, more like a fortress wall than a cathedral. This massiveness is given to it by powerful buttresses, the shape of which resembles the animals' paws. The roof is decorated with gargoyles in the form of a pig, a dog, a lion. Each animal has its meaning and protects the temple: both physically (as roof drainage) and spiritually (from evil forces). The church's roof is covered with brightly colored tiles. Initially, the interior decoration was richer, but the French Revolution deprived the temple of excessive luxury. However, there is still something to admire. For example, the preserved stained glass windows of the 14th-15th centuries, including the large lancet windows of the central part (depicting the birth and childhood of Jesus), the Gothic altar, the sculpture of Mother of God, and the carved seats for the canons (members of the chapter). The temple has two organs: created in 1755, the large one was recently restored, the second one is modern, made in 1975.

The ringing of the nine bells of Saint-Martin (the largest weighs 6 tons) is recognized as the most melodious in Alsace. Besides, it does not frighten the stork family, which has been living on the cathedral roof for many years and is one of the symbols of Colmar.

Address: Place de la Cathedrale

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