Little Town of Colmar
Colmar, located at the foot of the Vosges Mountains on the French-German border, is a medieval town in Alsace, renowned as a wine town. Dozens of wineries are gathered here, forming a beautiful landscape. Because it has not experienced the destruction of war, many churches, wineries, and monasteries have been preserved in good condition. Colmar is one of the most romantic regions, known for its canals and flower boats.
You can see the reflections of former boatmen and laundry shops from the bridge, which is beautiful. The town is a vast pedestrian area composed of many irregular-shaped squares. The roads between the squares pass through St. Martin's Church and the House of Heads, such as historical landmarks. The Ibres River branch flows through Colmar quietly, and the clear river water washes away the flustered dust. It is known as 'Little Venice' in France, with small bridges, narrow alleys, and flat-bottomed boats gliding through it.
When you come to Colmar, don't forget to appreciate the houses here. Colmar still retains the architecture of the 16th century. The 'House of Heads' was built by wooden multi-sided roof, a unique design, each house has its own taste. The upper part of the house is composed of wooden framework, the walls are made up of many horizontal, vertical or oblique wooden slats. Colmar's wooden frame houses are the most complete preserved wooden frame houses in France. The color of the wooden frame house walls is colorful, such as pale yellow, brick red and green, which makes the small houses look like candy houses in fairy tales. A series of wooden houses makes the small town full of Alsace style. It can be said that Colmar is a microcosm of Alsace.
Number 19, Rue de la Tête, Colmar, is the 'House of Heads', built in the Renaissance period. This is one of the most famous two houses in Colmar Old Town. Rue de la Tête, where the House of Heads is located, has existed since the 14th century. This house was previously a wine trading center. The house is decorated with 105 sculptures of men's faces, and the expressions of the sculptures are lively and interesting. It is one of the most eye-catching buildings in Colmar's urban area in France.
The House of Heads was built in 1609, based on the residential form of the middle class in the 17th century, with Renaissance style decoration. The multi-angular windows on the facade are two stories high, and the top of the windows is a balcony. The 19th-century copper sculptures standing on the roof were created by Baldor, the designer of the Statue of Liberty.
There is a road leading to the Vosges Mountains in the town, and the two sides of the road are vineyards, producing champagne and wine. Napoleon once led his troops along this road to fight against the Prussians and won the victory. It is said that the young general stopped halfway up the hill and listened to the bells of Colmar. Napoleon said, 'If it weren't for this damn war, I would like to settle my home here.'
Napoleon is not the only French historical figure who loved this road. Hugo called it 'Sky Road' in his 'Travels'; Montaigne called it 'Romantic Journey' in his 'Essays'. Perhaps it was from that time that Colmar gained its romantic name.
As early as the 16th century, Colmar was a wine trading center in Alsace. It is said that through long-term cultivation, here's grapes are diverse, jade like, jasper like, fragrant. The wine made is either rich and mellow, or elegant and delicate, or soft and beautiful, or plump and long, with Riesling being particularly praised by the industry. The town's canals were used to transport wine, and now there are many famous Alsatian wineries for tourists to visit and taste.
Colmar has a two-week wine festival every September. The Colmar Wine Festival is the most famous wine festival in the wine town. During the festival, white wine, German beer and various wines let the participants taste enough. There is also a pickle festival in September, where you can see Alsatian men and women in traditional black and white costumes dancing traditional dances. The pickle, the main character of the festival, is made by pickling with white wine. It tastes particularly sour.
Colmar, as a tourist destination that is not particularly dazzling on travel brochures, also has its own unique charm. Walking on the street, you can encounter various European elements, German wooden shelves, Venetian canals and flower boats, and French narrow alleys. The pastoral style, historical accumulation and a touch of exotic elements are mixed together without being chaotic. Perhaps this is the tension of Colmar.
