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Molsheim - Molsheim , Alsace, France
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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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Molsheim
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Louis XIV spent several days in this welcoming city where he was received by the Jesuit Seminary. As a student studying French civilisation, Goethe was also a visitor. He made note of his visit to Molsheim in 1770 in his memoirs. Molsheim has lots of attributes which would draw any illustrious visitor.
Its center is very appealing to tourists as it is full of important historical, archeological and architectual sites. In particular, after the Reform, Molsheim was considered a Mecca of culture. The charm of the old stonework remains in today's Molsheim. The ramparts which are still present recall the heroic struggles of the Middle Ages. The winding alleyways pemits us to glimpses of its glorious past.
Molsheim is also an important city for automobile connaisseurs as home to the legendary Bugatti automobile. Older residents can still recall the first runs these famous cars made up and down the coblestone roads of the city and on the surrounding roads.
The city of Molsheim which opens onto the Bruche Valley was not only an important spirtual center of the past, it is also the birthplace of a contemporary Alsatian writer.
Camille Schneider, who instigated the Mother's Day holiday, was very gifted with the pen. She served as president of the Academy of Alsace and died in 1978. With great art she described her home in her work.
As Molsheim is located at the foot of a hills stemming from the Vosges mountains on the Wine Road (about 20 kilomters west of Strasbourg) it is also home to prosperous winegrowers. Two local vintages are particulary renown: the "Brudertal" and the "Finkenberger". The terrestrial pleasures along with a certain spiritual emotion join in making Molsheim and exceptional visit.
The Legend of Molsheim
According to certain historians, Molsheim takes its name from the Latin word meaning mill. A mill located next to nearby Avolsheim in the north may be at the origin of the city's name. The wheel illustrated in the city's coat of arms seems to confirm this hypothesis. However, the wheel depicted is one of torture which represents Saint Georges, the patron martyr of the city who died on its spokes. In addition, according to another historian, the word Mollesheim comes from the Ligurian vocabulary. This hypothesis implies that the city has very ancient roots. Although the name Mollesheim is not mentioned until 820, it may have had Celtic or Roman roots. Excavations along Celtic and Roman lines give credence to this proposal.
There is no doubt that it was under Charlemagne and his successors that the city would be incorperated into history. During this time a struggle took place between the bishops of Strasbourg and the emperors for the domination of the city. This struggle ended in 1303 in favor of the bishops. The Bishop Jean de Dirpheim fortified his city by building a surrounding wall in 1324 with a fortress inside. A large part of the wall remains in addition to the door named the "Tower of the Blacksmiths". Following the devastation caused by the Black Plague, this bishop founded a hospital which he richly endowed.
The great period of Molsheim took place between the 16th and 17th centuries, from the moment that Strasbourg adhered to the Reform. As the Catholics had to leave Strasbourg, they established themselves in Saverne and eventually Molsheim. Molsheim welcomed a large part of the institutions that were created around the religious struggle and for the spiritual direction of the diocese. The city offered an appropriate setting as well as a wealth which is still manifested today in important archeological remains.
The fortified center offered a relative security. In addition, the geographical location had important advantages that the Bishops could not ignore. The location was near to Saverne. At the opening of the Bruche Valley, it allowed surveillance of the Episcopalian possessions that were located there. For health reasons it was a good location: the roads coming from Benfeld via Dambach which passed through Molsheim were considered to be of a healthy climate, an important consideration in times of all sorts of epidemics. Finally, the existence of empty buildings was very useful: the hospital that was built at the beginning of the 14th century was deserted. Therefore, from 1570-80, Molsheim was the obvious choice to become the second home to the bishops who had been chased from their secular seat in Strasbourg.
From this point on, Molsheim truly became an important cultural center. The city welcomed the Jesuits in 1580, then the chartreux whose convent in Koenigshoffen had been destroyed. The Jesuits, who were full of projects, organized a scolarity which occupied 70 religious people. Intellectual and spiritual activity blossomed and reigned over the city: theater, new pedagogical methods, the foundation of an academy and a university, and the construction of a charming church from 1615 to 1617. It is therefore not surprising that Louis XIV deemed Molsheim worth a visit in 1683 to appreciate its art and culture.
Molsheim is also historically home to publishers and printers. At the same time that he founded the Jesuit Seminary, Léopold d'Autriche, bishop of Strasbourg established a printing house directed by Jean Hartmann. He would in turn print, most notably, a description of the new church and a theatrical triology concerning Charlemagne to be played in an open air theater. The Thirty Year's war destroyed this printing house. However, it was reestablished in 1650 and ran by Jean-Henri Straubhaar, and had the title of the Bishop's Printing House. This title remained attached to the House for two centuries until its activity ceased.
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