Colmar

The French city of Colmar has a population of over 65 000 people. It is located in central Alsace. The city, which attracts the eye with its romantic neat houses, has a whole neighborhood known as Petite Venice.

The houses in Colmar are colored - they are blue, green, painted in various colors of the rainbow, making the entire city a spectacular view. The houses are different heights, giving a more interesting design of the city. In the chaos of disordered and unequal structures tourists are extremely impressed. Along with the beautiful colored houses boats pass through the channel, which has earned the area the name Little Venice. Many of the houses which are situated along the canal were built during the period from the fourteenth to the eighteenth century, and then fully restored.

On the main square stands the church St Martin, which is known locally as the Cathedral. The Church is really magnificent and rightly claims the title cathedral. This is the most important religious building in the city, which was built in the thirteenth century on the foundations of a church of the tenth century. Around the perimeter of the church are many portals, some of which are walled. On the western facade of the church rises a tower with a sundial and inscription “Memento mori” - Remember that you will die.

Among the landmarks of the city is the Maison Pfister. It was built in the sixteenth century and is famous for its wooden porch and exquisite Flemish architecture. On the triangular roof of the house Pfister rises the figure of a man.

Museum Unterlinden is among the most visited museums in the city. The museum is located on the territory of the Dominican monastery. In it can be seen a very interesting altar. The masterpiece, created in 1515, recreates the scene of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The museum has gathered a collection of paintings by local artists, as well as many ethnographic exhibits.

The museum was founded in 1853. Among the unique exhibits in the museum is the harpsichord, made in 1624. The museum has a collection of paintings on glass, which is treated in a special way on it to be created incredibly exquisite paintings. The museum has the most impressive collection of weapons in Alsace, which has collected weapons from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century.

The Dominican church which was built in the thirteenth century, is distinguished by its magnificent altar. It has the famous Madonna Rose, made in 1473 - this is a woman dressed in bright pinkish red clothes which holds the infant in her arms.

In Colmar was born the author of the symbol of the USA - the sculptor who created the Statue of Liberty - Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. In the town of Colmar is the home-museum, where the famous sculptor lived.

The city has a museum of toys and small trains. This is quite a new museum, created a decade ago, and it is very interesting for both children and adults. The museum has many models of cars, robots, porcelain dolls, wooden and plastic toys, puppets, electronic toys, and trains eighteen of which are always on the move among the picturesque landscapes.

Colmar is famous for its excellent wine, watches and fine fabrics. In August, here is held the regional fair of Alsatian wines, it is the biggest event of this kind in Alsace.