Exploring Obernai

Obernai is located at the crossroads of the three large regions in Alsace: vineyards on the wine route; the Vosges; and the rural plain which starts from the town gates. Obernai is an important center of wine and beer production (my kind of place). The vineyards date back to 680 and Kronenbourg beer is the biggest brewer in France.

Our Hotel La Cloche is a 14th century house under historical protection. If we don't tightly close the curtains in our room, every tourist walking by can look directly into the bathroom and bedroom even though we are on the first floor...a low first floor. This would not be a pretty sight... Obernai is also known for food. From traditional restaurants to typically Alsatian "Winstubs" wine bars to one-star Michelin guide restaurants...lots of choices.

Hotel La Cloche quaint restaurant

another Obernai restaurant

Obernai (Ehenheim) was mentioned for the first time in 778 and belonged to the Dukes of Alsace and Hohenbourg and Niedermunster nunneries. Annexed by Germany in 1871, Obernai was spared by World War II and tourists started visiting in masses during the 1960's. Enough of this...on to the important sights:

The old six-bucket well, from 1579, is located right in front of our hotel. It is a Renaissance well with three columns in Corinthian style. The columns support a canopy with biblical inscriptions of the New Testament.

Obernai Six-Bucket Well

The Hotel de Ville (City Hall), again, right in front of the hotel, was constructed around 1370 and has been enlarged and changed many times.

Hotel de Ville (City Hall)

Behind the Hotel de Ville is the Kapelturn Belfry, the last vestige of the Chapel of the Virgin built at the end of the 13th century on top of Church St. Peter and Paul. The Kapellturn Belfry also served as the City watchtower.

Obernai Kapelturn Belfry

The Corn Exchange was built in 1554 and then used as a large public butcher house and museum. The turret bell was used to ring the opening and closing times of the weekly market. Rather like a medieval New York Stock Exchange.

Obernai Corn Exchange

Obernai had many Guilds in the 18th century. Arts and Crafts representing 35 different trades - tailleurs (tailers), tanneurs (tanners), boulangers (bakers), bouchers (butchers)... There were many unique signs hanging all around Obernai, interesting to look at. The town originally had 52 towers and gates but only 30 remain.

We also liked the fountain in the main square, Fountain Ste-Odile. This is new --- built in 1904.

Obernai's main square and Fountain Ste-Odile

Still more remnants of Judaism in Obernai. Both on the Rue des Juifs with an inner courtyard still bearing an archway with a keystone that had both Hebrew and Christian dates on it, and a Synogogue, open today to reinvigorate interest among tourists in Alsace's rich Jewish history. ...View image...