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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Unterlinden convent, founded in the 13th century in Colmar, is an emblematic monument of Alsatian Gothic architecture. In 1232 he was occupied by Dominican canonesses and saw his church built between 1262 and 1269, combining a carpented nave and a vaulted choir. This convent, founded by Agnes de Mittelnheim and Agnes de Hergheim, had a lasting influence on the architecture of the beggars of the upper Rhine. Its cloister, erected in the second half of the 13th century, completes a medieval ensemble marked by later modifications.

Closed in 1790 during the Revolution, the convent was transformed into a military barracks before welcoming a regiment of lancers. In the 19th century, after a period of abandonment, it became a museum in 1849, housing major works such as the altarpiece of Matthias Grünewald (16th century) and a statue of Martin Schongauer carved by Bartholdi in 1860. Ranked a Historical Monument in 1852, it illustrates the transformation of a religious place into a cultural space, while preserving its medieval heritage.

The church, characteristic of the Alsatian Gothic with its polygonal apse, and the cloister reflect the spiritual and artistic importance of the site. After serving as a barracks until the mid-19th century, the convent is now the Unterlinden Museum, highlighting its architectural heritage and collections, including pieces related to local history such as the statue of Schongauer, colmarian director. Its early ranking (1852) underscores its historic and symbolic value for the Grand Est region.

Future

It now houses the altarpiece of Issenheim, Matthias Grünewald, masterpiece of the collections of the Unterlinden Museum, as well as the statue of the colmarian painter and engraver Martin Schongauer made by Bartholdi in 1860.

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