Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Mont Sainte-Odile, located in Ottrott in the Bas-Rhin, peaks at 764 meters and dominates the plain of Alsace. It houses the Abbey of Hohenbourg, founded in the 7th century by Saint Odile, daughter of the Duke of Alsace Etichon-Adalric. This convent, transformed from a family castle, became a major pilgrimage site, attracting 1.3 million visitors annually. The site also includes the "pagan wall", an 11 km cyclopean enclosure whose dating (7th century) and function (defensive or cultual) remain debated.

The "Pagan wall", classified as a historical monument in 1840, consists of 300,000 blocks of stone and reaches 3 metres in height. Initially attributed to the Bronze Age or the 2nd century BC, recent analyses suggest construction in the 7th century, although this dating may correspond to restoration. The wall, called "pagan" by Pope Leo IX, remains an archaeological mystery. The abbey, sold as a national property during the Revolution, was bought in 1853 by the bishopric of Strasbourg and restored.

The convent church, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, was rebuilt in Baroque style between 1687 and 1696 after several fires. Consecrated in 1696, it houses an organ installed in 1964 and a bell tower of 1924 surmounted by a statue of St.Odile, the work of Alfred Klem. Classified as a historical monument in 1997, it was erected as a minor basilica in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. The site also includes a monumental cross path (1933-1935) and a source known to cure eye diseases, linked to the legend of Saint Odile.

Mount Sainte-Odile was also a place of resistance during the Second World War, hosting members of the Alsatian Youth Front (FJA). Father Marcel Hirlemann, in charge of the site, played an active role. In 1992, an aerial disaster on the nearby mountain of the Bloss killed 87 people, tragically marking the recent history of the site. Today, the mountain remains a cultural and spiritual symbol of Alsace, offering an exceptional panorama up to the Black Forest and the Alps.

The gnomonic block, carved in the 18th century by the Cistercian monks of Neubourg, was transferred to the Mount in 1935. This sundial, composed of 24 dials, illustrates the scientific and religious heritage of the site. The Chapel of the Rocks, built for the International Exhibition of Decorative Arts of 1925, was destroyed around 1970, but its foundation remains. These elements testify to the historical and artistic richness of Mount Sainte-Odile, between legends, faith and resistance.

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