Riquewihr
Encyclopedia
Riquewihr is a commune
in the Haut-Rhin
department in Alsace
in north-eastern France
.
A popular tourist attraction for its historical architecture
, Riquewihr is also known for the Riesling
and other great wines produced in the village. Riquewihr looks today more or less as it did in the 16th century.
and minutes from other Alsatian villages such as Ribeauvillé
, Hunawihr
, Eguisheim
or Kaysersberg
.
in the 16th century. Historically, Reichenweiher served as a Winzerdorf or "wine village" as a trading hub for Alsatian and German wine
.
. The town is surrounded by its medieval
fortification
s and is overlooked by a castle from the same period that is today a museum.
There is a museum about Alsace during World War II and a torture chamber
(La salle de torture).
The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
("The most beautiful villages of France") association.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Haut-Rhin
Haut-Rhin
Haut-Rhin is a département of the Alsace region of France, named after the Rhine river. Its name means Upper Rhine. Haut-Rhin is the smaller and less populated of the two departements of Alsace, although is still densely populated compared to the rest of France.-Subdivisions:The department...
department in Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
in north-eastern France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
A popular tourist attraction for its historical architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
, Riquewihr is also known for the Riesling
Riesling
Riesling is a white grape variety which originated in the Rhine region of Germany. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling white wines. Riesling wines are usually varietally...
and other great wines produced in the village. Riquewihr looks today more or less as it did in the 16th century.
Geography
Riquewihr is only 7 miles (11 km) from ColmarColmar
Colmar is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.It is the capital of the department. Colmar is also the seat of the highest jurisdiction in Alsace, the appellate court....
and minutes from other Alsatian villages such as Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé
Ribeauvillé is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.Its inhabitants are called Ribeauvillois.The picturesque town is located around north of Colmar and south of Strasbourg.-History:...
, Hunawihr
Hunawihr
Hunawihr is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association.-References:*...
, Eguisheim
Eguisheim
Eguisheim is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.Eguisheim produces Alsace wine of high quality. The commune is largely German-speaking.-History:...
or Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Alsace in north-eastern France.The inhabitants are called Kaysersbergeois. The name means Emperor's Mountain in German....
.
History
Originally the property of the Dukes of Württemberg, the town was converted to ProtestantismProtestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
in the 16th century. Historically, Reichenweiher served as a Winzerdorf or "wine village" as a trading hub for Alsatian and German wine
German wine
German wine is primarily produced in the west of Germany, along the river Rhine and its tributaries, with the oldest plantations going back to the Roman era. Approximately 60 percent of the German wine production is situated in the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, where 6 of the 13 regions ...
.
Sights
Riquewihr was one of the few towns in the area not to be badly damaged during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The town is surrounded by its medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
fortification
Fortification
Fortifications are military constructions and buildings designed for defence in warfare and military bases. Humans have constructed defensive works for many thousands of years, in a variety of increasingly complex designs...
s and is overlooked by a castle from the same period that is today a museum.
There is a museum about Alsace during World War II and a torture chamber
Torture chamber
A torture chamber is a room where torture is inflicted.- Methods of coercion :According to Frederick Howard Wines in his book Punishment and Reformation: A Study Of The Penitentiary System there were three main types of coercion employed in the torture chamber: Coercion by the cord, by water and...
(La salle de torture).
The village is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is an independent association, created in 1982, which aims to promote assets of small and picturesque French villages of quality heritage...
("The most beautiful villages of France") association.