Our cottage are located in the town of Turckheim
The Night Watchman’s Round in Turckheim:
Come and watch Alsace’s last true night watchman make his rounds in Turckheim. Every evening, dressed in period costume with halberd, tricorne and lantern, you can follow him on his rounds. A real plunge into history!
Tourist Office contact details :
Rue Wickram – Guardhouse
68230 Turckheim
Tel: 03 89 27 38 44
Fax: 03 89 80 83 22
E-mail: officedetourisme@turckheim.com
Opening hours:
September to June
From Monday to Friday: 9am-12pm / 1:30pm-6pm
Saturday: 9am-12pm / 2pm-5pm
July-August
From Monday to Friday: 9am-12pm / 1:30pm-6pm.
Saturday: 9am-12pm / 2pm-5pm
Sunday: 10 am-12 pm
Historical monuments :
La Porte de France
Originally, the Porte de France was used for Turckheim’s economic exchanges, mainly with Switzerland. The lower part of the building dates back to 1330, and has undergone a number of modifications over the years.
The Munster Gate
Built in the 14th century, the Porte de Munster is above all a landmark in the history of witchcraft, since it was through this gate that the tortured were taken to the Wann, where they were executed.
Its windows, decorated with scallop shells, bear witness to less murderous functions, suggesting a stopover on the way to Santiago de Compostela. The Porte de Munster was also intended to warn of storms, as shown by the bell under its still-intact little steeple.
The Chemin de Ronde house is adjacent to the Porte de Munster.
La Porte du Brand
Of the three gates surrounding Turckheim, the Porte du Brand was the most defensive. The Brand Gate was equipped with a portcullis, a drawbridge spanning a moat and two swing gates that were kept carefully closed, except during the harvest season. In 1843, the Porte du Brand underwent a major refurbishment, with the addition of a weathervane by J.B. Hun. The year 2006 saw a new interior and exterior renovation.
Church
The first mention of a Christian sanctuary in Turckheim dates back to 898. In the 12th century, it was replaced by a Romanesque edifice, of which only the magnificent bell tower remains. The present church was built between 1834 and 1839. It was restored after the fire of July 6, 1978.
Turckheim bell tower
Last vestige of the Romanesque building. It comprises 5 levels. The base dates from 1190 and includes the Romanesque entrance door and the first bay of the church, now used as a baptismal chapel. Restored in 1983, it houses numerous statues from different periods, including Saint Anne, patron saint of the parish, Saint Urbain, patron saint of our winegrowers, the Risen Christ, Saint Nicolas, Saint Barbe, Saint Marguerite, Saint Richarde, Saint Arbogast, Saint Matern, a Calvary, and a painting of Saint James the Compostela pilgrim, which can now be seen in the nave to the left of the choir…
The Town Hall
The 17th-century building was once the seat of the court of justice of the former imperial city. The stable and adjoining buildings disappeared around 1860; the ground-floor room was long used as a ballroom! During restoration work, two Gothic walls and a Romanesque wall were uncovered.
The old wrought-iron railing has been replaced by a Rouffach sandstone balustrade.
