The Abbey-Church of Ottmarsheim
St. Peter and Paul of Ottmarsheim, on the Alsacien Romanesque Route
Ottmarsheim Tourist information office - 6, rue de l'Eglise - F 68490 OTTMARSHEIM
Tel : + 33 3 89 26 27 57 - Fax : +33 3 89 26 16 53 - Email : route-romane-ottmarsheim@wanadoo.fr
The village of Ottmarsheim was born during the Merovingian epoch between the Hardt forest and the Rhine.
In 1030 Rodolphe of Altenbourg took up residence in Ottmarsheim, to build a Benedictine abbey. As a descendant of the noble Habsburg family, his estate revenues allowed him to finance this costly project.
The Abbey-Church was served by a community of nuns and the parish.
A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, this abbey was modelled on the Palatine Chapel in Aachen, Germany. This octagonal building is unique in Europe.
Due its economic situation and geographic position, two fires in 13th and 15th centuries, the Thiry Years War, the French Revolution and the two World Wars have all left their mark on its primitive architecture.
In 1991 this monument was completely restored having been considerably damaged by further fire. Today, because of or thanks to this blaze, the Abbey-Church offers visitors more beauty than ever.
Guided Tours free of charge
Guided tours are organised on reservation all year round for groups in French and German.
Duration: 45 mn
retour
