Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of Saint-Michel d'Herrlisheim-near Colmar, located in the Upper Rhine in the Grand East region, dates back to the early 14th century. Its bell tower-porch in sandstone, with corner chains and foothills, as well as its three-sided Gothic choir, testify to this medieval period. The west gate in the middle of the village, the bell tower's octagonal arrow and the remains of murals (including a two-tailed mermaid) illustrate its architectural heritage. The walled broken arches evoke a gothic nave that is now extinct.

In 1906, a major reconstruction changed the structure: a new nave and a choir were erected perpendicular to the old church, transforming the Gothic choir into a side chapel and the old chapel into a sacristy. This reshuffle led to the destruction of a chapel of Saint Sebastian (1419), which housed an ossuary. The passage between the sacristy and the new choir, dated 1530 by its lintel, recalls the Renaissance additions. The building, partially classified as a Historical Monument since 2001, preserves medieval and Renaissance elements such as the girouette (15th century?) or carved keys (leaved mask, bust of man).

The present church juxtaposes the remains of the 14th century (clocher-porch, choir) and parts rebuilt in the 20th century, reflecting its architectural evolution. The broken arch windows, the sacristy's dogive vaults and the sandstone foothills highlight its Alsatian Gothic style. The current arrangement, where the old church forms a transept with the nave of 1906, is the result of this ambitious reconstruction project, preserving, however, traces of medieval and modern times.

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