Ebersmunster

Visit Ebersmunster, Alsace

Ebersmunster is a village in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region, situated between Strasbourg and Colmar. This small traditional village would perhaps remain unnoticed by visitors if it didn't contain one of the finest baroque churches in France, which dominates the horizon as you approach Ebersmunster, and the village itself when you arrive.

Abbey Church of Ebersmunster

The church we see today in Ebersmunster was a reconstruction on the site of an earlier benedictine abbey complex dating back as far as the 7th-8th century, which had been destroyed during the Thirty Years war (during the first half of the 17th century).

The current abbey church dates in part from the end of the 17th century although it was substantial modifications in the early 18th century that gave the church its 'german-baroque' style.

Exterior

The main facade of the church in Ebersmunster is quite simple in design, with cream coloured painted walls between red stone. A substantial tower stands either side of the facade, one acting as a clocktower, and the two towers being connected by a balustrade passageway on which there stands a statue of Saint-Maurice.

The main entrance to the church is through the three arches at the bottom of the facade.

Interior

The understated design of the exterior gives little clue to the exuberant decoration inside the church. The interior is very finely decorated - among the particular highlights are a wooden statue of Samson supporting the pulpit; the statues of the saints that line the walls above the stalls on both sides of the choir; an exceptionally ornate altar designed by Jean-Léonard Meyer in 1728; the beautifully painted ceiling in the choir; and the wall paintings that can be seen around the church

Ebersmunster church also contains a well known 18th century baroque organ by Andreas Silbermann that has been used in various classical organ recordings and is also used in performances organised in the church.

Note: photo is copyright

Tourist classifications for Ebersmunster: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 1*;

Suggested places to visit near Ebersmunster, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Barr 12km; Chateau Andlau 13km; Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg 15km; Mont-Sainte-Odile 16km; Bergheim 17km; Obernai 17km; Ribeauville 20km; Rosheim 21km; Hunawihr 21km; Riquewihr 23km; Le Struthof 24km; Molsheim 26km; Kaysersberg 27km; Colmar 29km; Turckheim 31km; Neuf-Brisach 33km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Ebersmunster

Ebersmunster tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Itterswiller - ville fleurie 4* (9km) : Diebolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (11km) : Parc du château de Kintzheim - remarkable garden (12km) : Marckolsheim - ville fleurie 4* (16km) : Domaine du Windeck - remarkable garden (18km) : Le jardin de Marguerite - remarkable garden (23km) : Parc du domaine de Schoppenwihr - remarkable garden (24km) : Jardin du chateau de Kolbsheim - remarkable garden (28km) :

French version: see Ebersmunster (Francais)