"The Wonders of Colmar" Colmar by ExGuyParis

Colmar Travel Guide: 259 reviews and 807 photos

The Wonders of Colmar - Colmar

Colmar is a charming town in Alsace. A "must see" here is the Unterlinden Museum, which displays the remarkable Issenheim Altar. The museum is housed in a former Dominican convent built in the 13th century; the Issenheim Altar is displayed in the Gothic chapel of the convent.

Above, a rather mystical, new-age Christ rises on the Issenheim altar. Little is known about the artist, Gruenwald, thought to be responsible for these paintings. Whoever he was, he created this masterpiece in the early 1500's.

The origin of this masterpiece is murky, and many pieces of the original altar have disappeared. What remains is a startling series of painted doors and wood carvings. This is a work of art that you can spend hours appreciating.

Another scene from the Issenheim Altar
Ow. - Colmar

Ow.

Saint Sebastian is, not surprisingly I guess, the patron saint of archers. People with the plague prayed to Saint Sebastian for help. I'm not so sure that was much help.

Shades of Bosch
Shades of Bosch - Colmar

Inside the "reredos" of the altar, one finds this image of the Temptation of Saint Anthony. Note the victim of "Saint Anthony's fire" in the lower left corner. Click on the picture to get a bigger view.

  • Intro Updated Jun 29, 2003
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Reviews (6)

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La maison des Têtes Built in 1609 for Colmar merchant Anton Burger, this gothic/renaissance home is decorated with over... more travel advice

He Gave Us Liberty - Colmar He Gave Us Liberty Things to Do (5)

Architect & Sculptor Fr?d?ric-Auguste Bartholdi was born in Colmar on August 2, 1834. Since 1922, the home of his birth... more travel advice

Glory in the Details - Colmar Glory in the Details Things to Do (5)

Another glimpse of the incredible detail in Grünewald's Altarpiece in the Musée d'Unterlinden. This image is from the... more travel advice

Comments (18)

  • Reply
    Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Jul 23, 2007 at 11:31 AM

    Thanks for your fine descriptions and photos of the Issenheim Altar and the House of Heads. I haven't been to Colmar for many years, must go back for a closer look.

  • Reply
    BeatChick's Profile Photo
    Dec 12, 2004 at 3:24 PM

    I've been wanting to check out Alsace for quite some time now & you certainly bring Colmar to life, Paul!

  • Reply
    eelaine's Profile Photo
    Mar 20, 2004 at 9:19 AM

    love your page.. there's a resort modelled after colmar in malaysia.. but after seeing your pictures, i definitely wanna see the real place!! thanks for sharing!! :)

  • Reply
    billus's Profile Photo
    Feb 14, 2004 at 5:57 PM

    hello hello Ex-ex -guy Paris. I have just been reconnaissancing epic 2003 trans-Alsatian photos missed that Issenheim altar what did we do before the internet?

  • Reply
    lotharlerch's Profile Photo
    Jan 16, 2004 at 5:37 AM

    Very nice page, visited idyllic Colmar trwice. Thank you for your comment on my most visited page!

  • Reply
    Jan 14, 2004 at 4:51 AM

    Beautiful page, and very interesting travelogue! I've been to Colmar once many years ago, but maybe it's about time I take another trip...

  • Reply
    XenoHumph's Profile Photo
    Jan 13, 2004 at 11:41 AM

    Super travelogue, tres interessant! Je viens d'aller voir la petite version de la statue a Paris pour la 1ere fois, meme si j'ai habite a Paris quelques annees! Par contre, je ne suis jamais allee a Colmar... ca a l'air pas mal pourtant!

  • Reply
    pepples46's Profile Photo
    Dec 15, 2003 at 3:23 PM

    glorious paintings and great architecture. Colmar is quite a gem. thanx for sharing Paul there should be more infos on Gruenewald on the net ^..^

  • Reply
    margaretvn's Profile Photo
    Aug 9, 2003 at 9:00 AM

    great page and those paintings and the colours are so beautiful - I just have to see them!

  • Reply
    Aug 6, 2003 at 2:12 AM

    This is an official invitation. Come to Madrid, I will take you to El Prado and you will not want to leave. Build, build, build!!!

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