Turckheim
Encyclopedia
Turckheim is a commune
in the Haut-Rhin
department in Alsace
in north-eastern France
. It lies west of Colmar
, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains
.
wines, traditional Alsatian cuisine, and stunning surrounding scenery.
Turckheim is probably most well-known for its surrounding medieval wall. The wall has three doors, or portes: The Munster Door, which opens into the Munster Valley; The Door of the Brand, which begins the Route des Vins; and the Door of France, through which lies the railway station and the roads to Colmar
. These three portals help distinguish the village from the majority of Alsatian towns by lending it a unique character.
Another attractive feature of Turckheim is the Night Watchman. The traditionally dressed Turckheim native, cloaked in black and carrying a halberd and lamp makes the rounds at 22.00 (10pm) each night from May to October. As he strolls the protected city, he sings a number of Alsatian favorites. The Watchman is often accompanied by a throng of tourists attempting to join in the songs. Some newcomers to the town have been surprised to have a seemingly tranquil early evening interrupted by a crowd of carolers led around by a Nightwatchman.
Surrounding the village are the stunning Vosges
foothills. Topping many of these soft, green hills are old castles and fortifications. These are all reachable by foot or by bike. The town is also nestled among a series of dramatically colorful vineyards, which produce the regions delectably delicious white wine.
buildings were destroyed in the numerous wars which have swept through Alsace
and Moselle
, therefore the destination is popular for tourists interested in the Alsatian building style typified by half-timbered homes, varied pastel wall colorings, and flowers. In fact, Turckheim is a ville fleurie, meaning it is considered one of the most floribund cities in France.
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...
. It lies west of Colmar
Colmar
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....
, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains
Vosges mountains
For the department of France of the same name, see Vosges.The Vosges are a range of low mountains in eastern France, near its border with Germany. They extend along the west side of the Rhine valley in a northnortheast direction, mainly from Belfort to Saverne...
.
Places of interest
Turckheim, located in Alsace, is a village known for its GewürztraminerGewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer is an aromatic wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. It is sometimes referred to colloquially as Gewürz, and in French it is written '...
wines, traditional Alsatian cuisine, and stunning surrounding scenery.
Turckheim is probably most well-known for its surrounding medieval wall. The wall has three doors, or portes: The Munster Door, which opens into the Munster Valley; The Door of the Brand, which begins the Route des Vins; and the Door of France, through which lies the railway station and the roads to Colmar
Colmar
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....
. These three portals help distinguish the village from the majority of Alsatian towns by lending it a unique character.
Another attractive feature of Turckheim is the Night Watchman. The traditionally dressed Turckheim native, cloaked in black and carrying a halberd and lamp makes the rounds at 22.00 (10pm) each night from May to October. As he strolls the protected city, he sings a number of Alsatian favorites. The Watchman is often accompanied by a throng of tourists attempting to join in the songs. Some newcomers to the town have been surprised to have a seemingly tranquil early evening interrupted by a crowd of carolers led around by a Nightwatchman.
Surrounding the village are the stunning Vosges
Vosges
Vosges is a French department, named after the local mountain range. It contains the hometown of Joan of Arc, Domrémy.-History:The Vosges department is one of the original 83 departments of France, created on February 9, 1790 during the French Revolution. It was made of territories that had been...
foothills. Topping many of these soft, green hills are old castles and fortifications. These are all reachable by foot or by bike. The town is also nestled among a series of dramatically colorful vineyards, which produce the regions delectably delicious white wine.
Culture
Turckheim boasts a particularly quaint and well-kept city. Few of its early RenaissanceRenaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
buildings were destroyed in the numerous wars which have swept through 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...
and Moselle
Moselle
Moselle is a department in the east of France named after the river Moselle.- History :Moselle is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
, therefore the destination is popular for tourists interested in the Alsatian building style typified by half-timbered homes, varied pastel wall colorings, and flowers. In fact, Turckheim is a ville fleurie, meaning it is considered one of the most floribund cities in France.