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Eguisheim - Eguisheim , Alsace, France
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| Cities & Villages |
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Cities and Villages in Alsace, France. Book your hotel on line in cities and villages in Alsace: Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Colmar, Barr, Strasbourg,...
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| The hotels 3 Stars close to Eguisheim |
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Eguisheim
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Ideally located on the Wine Road, Eguisheim is inaccurately considered to be a simple offshoot of the city of Colmar. The uniqueness of this city, which dates back to the Middle Ages, lies in the winding streets which are abundant with flowers as well as in the beauty of the surrounding countryside. The quality of the services that the local hotels and restaurants offer favorise long stays. To fully enjoy your visit to this ancient city, one must be aware of its fascinating history.
The name of the city comes from "home of Egino or Egeno," the Count of Eguisheim. The first official mention of the city dates back to 720 in an act of donation. Archeological research reveals that tens of thousands of years ago homo-sapiens from the Dordogne region occupied Eguisheim.
At the center of this charming city, which was fortified in 1257, one finds the remains of the fortified castle that was constructed in the 13th century by the Count Eberhard who was the son of Adalbert, the Duke of Alsace, and the nephew of Saint Odile. In 1049 Bruno of Eguisheim was born here; he would become Pope under the name of Léon IX and was partly responsible for the reform of the Church in the Middle Ages. He was later canonized.
From a totally different point of view, Eguisheim is considered to be the cradle of Alsatian wine-making in the 4th century.
The expansion of this industry took place during the Middle Ages as the bishops of Strasbourg and certain Abbeys owned and developped their vineyards. The reputation of the marvelous wine that came from this region soon travelled.
Wines from Eguisheim were found on the royal tables of England and Holland. Later, Voltaire, who stayed in a nearby region, would declare his preference for these wines and acquired certain domains.
Every Alsatian grape is grown in Eguisheim. Don't miss taking advantage of a wine tasting next time you are in the region.
The legend of Eguisheim
In the 10th century, Count Hugon IV of Eguisheim was particularly attached to one of his sons named Bruno. One night, an unknown fortune teller came to the chateau to provide the evening's entertainment. After having revealed disturbing destinies for everyone, she read Bruno's palms. She then declared that although the authority of Hugon IV was great, this child would have an even greater authority such that his father would kiss the dust of his son's feet. The Count was very affected by this prophecy. He secretly sent his son into the forest with a hunter to have him killed. As proof that the deed was done, the hunter was to bring back Bruno's heart to the chateau.
When the Count had the death of his son confirmed, he fell into a great depression and was full of remorse. During many years he lived miserably and suffered from terrifying hallucinations. One day when he could not take it any more, he confessed his crime to the chaplin. The chaplin told him to wear the cloth of a penitent and to travel to Rome that winter to confess his sins.
Upon arriving in Rome, Hugon threw himself at the feet of Pope Léon IX and told his story. The Pope helped him up and hugged him saying "Christ died for us all, the good and the bad. You will find forgivenss in Him, a forgiveness unlike any other. You have just done what you had wanted to avoid at all costs: you have just kissed the dust of your son's feet. The hunter did not have the strength to kill the child in the forest. His arrow hit a fox and it was the cry of the fox that was heard. It was the heart of the fox that was brought at you. Let us pray for this servant who thanks to him, the Count of Eguisheim is not a criminal!"
With these words the Count of Eguisheim was full of joy. He stayed several weeks with his son who had become Pope Léon IX. He kissed his son's feet again before he returned home. The rest of his life was consecrated to distributing his wealth to the poor.
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