Place des Six Montagnes Noires (Square of the Six Black Mountains), Colmar

Today, the Square of the Six Black Mountains is a lively public space, but in the 14th century it was the address of one of Colmar鈥檚 most exclusive hostelries. Its guestbook read like a chapter of European history鈥攑rinces of W眉rttemberg, the Duke of Wellington, Field Marshal Gustav Horn, Marshal General Turenne, and even Cardinal Mazarin all passed through its doors. That chapter closed abruptly in 1880, when fire reduced the once-grand inn to ashes.

Rather than leave the lot bare, the city commissioned the Roesselmann Fountain. At its centre stands a bronze Judge Jean Roesselmann, who died in 1262 defending Colmar鈥檚 independence from the bishop of Strasbourg. Sculptor Auguste Bartholdi gave him an extra layer of symbolism by modelling his face on Hercule de Payerimhoff, the mayor ousted by German forces in 1871. Four bronze fish weirs ring the base, their shapes echoing Gothic fountain design.

These days, history takes a back seat to holiday magic here. The square transforms into one of Colmar鈥檚 five Christmas markets, devoted entirely to children. Think miniature houses, a carousel, and Santa鈥檚 oversized mailbox鈥攚here letters to the North Pole bypass the usual postage and go straight into the realm of make-believe.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Colmar. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Place des Six Montagnes Noires (Square of the Six Black Mountains)
Sight Location: Colmar, France (See walking tours in Colmar)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Colmar Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Colmar, France

Create Your Own Walk in Colmar

Creating your own self-guided walk in Colmar is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Colmar Introduction Walking Tour

Charlemagne was well acquainted with Colmar in his wars with the Saxons from 772 to 804 AD. Carolingian emperor Charles the Fat held an assembly there in 884. It was a free imperial city under Emperor Frederick II in 1226. Captured and held by Sweden in 1632, it was conquered at last by Louis XIV of France in 1673.

In 1871 it was annexed by the German Empire as a result of the Franco-Prussian... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

Bartholdi's Statues in Colmar

Auguste Bartholdi is one of the most famous artists from Colmar. His works, such as the Lion of Belfort in Belfort, France, and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, are known around the world. Colmar is decorated with open-air pieces sculpted by the artist.

Many of Bartholdi's statues are found in fountains that occupy spaces in city squares or on significant street corners. Some of... view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.9 Km or 3.7 Miles

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