Traveling in France: Colmar (Part 2 of 4)

Our visit to Colmar continues.

Colmar is home to many churches.  We visited two of the largest in the center of the old town.  

The first church was the Église des Dominicains, located near the former Dominican monastery (which now houses a library and a museum).  

After being called to Colmar in 1277, the Dominicans began construction of the church in 1283.  Built in the Gothic style, the nave and choir of the church are tall.  The choir is pictured below. 

The church is home to a lovely altarpiece by Martin Schongauer, the Virgin of the Rose Bush (1473).  

The church also features beautiful stained-glass windows from the 1300's.

The other church in the center of Colmar is the much larger Collégiale Saint-Martin, also called the Cathédrale Saint-Martin de Colmar.

The front of Collégiale Saint-Martin

The church, built in the Gothic style, was completed around 1365.  The church was constructed with colored sandstone from different nearby quarries.  The different colored stones give the church a distinctive and varied hue.  The orange is not seen in other parts of France.

The south side of Collégiale Saint-Martin

The bell tower rises more than 230 feet and the bells can be heard all over the town.  

The tower also features a clock and a sundial.

    

The roof of the church was distinctive with its colored tiles arranged in a pattern.

Over the main entrance to the church, there are skillfully carved stone statues. 

Like many cathedrals we have visited in France, the interior of the church is majestic.

The church was not always so large.  Over time, the church was repeatedly expanded to its present size.  

A small chapel tucked away in a corner of the church featured a carved stone altar, a depiction of the last supper and a decorated ceiling.  

Below is a statue of Saint Odile, the patron saint of Alsace and also the patron saint of good eyesight.  Although born blind, Odile's gained her sight when she was baptized at age 12.  

St. Odile is often depicted holding a book with two eyes.

Jean-Claude spotted an interesting spiral staircase in the church.

Thanks for visiting two of Colmar's churches with us.  

Next Up:  An amazing museum in Colmar.