Eglise Saint-Martin, Colmar
Southwest tower of the Eglise St-Martin, Colmar.
Tiled roof over a side chapel.
The St. Nicholas Portal on the south transept.
Detail of Last Judgment relief on the St. Nicholas Portal.
A Judensau sculpture.
13th-century stained glass depicting The Last Supper.
The Ascension of Elijah in another 13th-century stained glass.
Nave looking east to the High Gothic choir.
The Église Saint-Martin (St. Martin's Church) in Colmar, also known as Collégiale Saint-Martin (for its former status as a collegiate church) and Cathédrale Saint-Martin (for its large dimensions, though it has never been a cathedral), dates primarily from the 14th century and contains some notable Gothic artworks.
History
The first known building on this site was a Carolingian church built around 1000, which was followed by a Romanesque church. The present builidng is Gothic and was built between 1234 and 1365. The Renaissance crown over the bell tower was added in 1572.
The Église Saint-Martin suffered extensive damage during the French Revolution and was later restored. In 1982, archaeological excavations revealed the foundations of the Carolingian and Romanesque churches.
What to See
The church is built of red and golden stones in the shape of a Latin cross, with colorful tiled roofs giving it a local Alsatian flavor. The tall, graceful choir at the east end is a contrast with the heavier west end, characterized by asymetrical towers and thick buttresses.
The exterior features several portals with intricately carved tympana. On the south transept is the Saint Nicholas Portal, with a double tympanum featuring the "Charity of St. Nicholas" below and a Last Judgment above.
There are a variety of interesting medieval sculptures on the exterior, including two examples of the Anti-Semitic Judensau: one in the shape of a gargoyle, the other appearing in the corner of a portal.
Inside, the most notable aspect of the nave is the set of the 13th-century stained glass windows, depicting biblical stories such as the Last Supper, Abraham and Isaac and the Ascension of Elijah.
The High Gothic choir dates from 1350-66. It includes an ambulatory, a rare feature in Alsatian churches, and radiating chapels containing medieval altars and statues.
The interior also features an impressive Baroque organ: its case dates from 1755 and the inner mechanism, originally by Johann Andreas Silbermann, were replaced in 1979.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Eglise Saint-Martin; Collegiale St-Martin; Cathedrale St-Martin; St. Martin's Church |
| Location: | Colmar, Alsace, France |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | St. Martin |
| Category: | Churches |
| Architecture: | Gothic |
| Date: | 1234-1365 |
| Size: | Interior length: 78 m Max interior height: 20 m Interior width at transept: 34 m Height of steeple: 71 m |
| Features: | Medieval Stained Glass; Gothic Sculpture |
| Status: | active |
| Stock photos: | Eglise Saint-Martin Stock Photos |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Place de la Cathédrale, Colmar, France |
| Coordinates: | 48.077341° N, 7.358351° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
Travel Resources
- Colmar Map - our detailed interactive map of Colmar, plus hand-picked links to more
- Colmar Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Eglise Saint-Martin. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Colmar Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (May 20, 2008).
- St Martin's Church, Colmar - Wikipedia
- Eglise St-Martin - Frommers.com
- Place de la Cathédrale - Planetware
Last updated on January 16, 2011.
