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Origin and history

Colmar Calvary is a historic monument located in Colmar, Haut-Rhin department, in the Grand Est region. Dating from the 1st quarter of the 16th century, it was originally in front of the chapel of the old cemetery of the city, near the collegiate Saint-Martin. This calvary is a remarkable example of Alsatian religious sculpture of the Renaissance, marked by local artistic influences and monumental techniques.

In 1576, the calvary was moved to the new Sainte-Anne cemetery, probably due to the construction of a guard corps at its original location. He was transferred again in 1805 to occupy his current location at 135 rue du Ladhof. The monument consists of three statues: Christ on the Cross, the Virgin (whose base bears the date of 1517, possibly linked to the death of his donor or author), and Saint John, 1.90 m high. The cross itself bears the date of 1507.

The attribution of the work remains uncertain, although two names are often cited: Hans Bongartz and Jörg Müglich (or Georges Muglich, says Meister Joerg), an influential sculptor in Colmar between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Some authors have even wrongly mentioned a possible attribution to Albrecht Dürer. The Calvary was listed as historic monuments on October 16, 1930, recognizing its heritage and artistic value.

The statues of the calvary, large, illustrate an exceptional know-how for the time. The date of 1517 engraved on the base of the Virgin could correspond to the death of the donor, whose weapons, now disappeared, once adorned the shield of the base. This monument bears witness to Colmar's funeral and religious practices during the Renaissance, as well as the importance of local sponsors in the realization of sacred art works.

Owned by the town of Colmar, Calvary is today a key part of the city's historical and cultural heritage. Its turbulent history, marked by several movements, reflects the urban and religious evolutions of Colmar, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era. Its inscription as a historic monument in 1930 allowed its preservation and enhancement for future generations.

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