Such a unique piece of France ... this Alsace
Alsace, the smallest region of France in terms of area, has the highest population density of 209 people per sq km and a total of 173,400 people.
The average figure for mainland France is 108 people per 1 sq km. And this is not the only feature of the region, which paid a generous tribute to a very turbulent history.
The health insurance system, hunting rules, church concordat are among the Alsatian "exceptions." Linguists have 25 different dialects in two departments, the Lower and Upper Rhine. It is enough to hear the muulouse talking with a resident of Strasbourg to notice significant discrepancies in pronunciation and intonation. Such a variety can be traced in the culinary art, for fleshnake (meat rolls) are considered rather Upper Rhine dish, and tart flambe - Lower Rhine.
A rich history has left numerous traces and traditions in Alsace.
Most of the major roads were built by the Romans, who were the first to occupy the area after the Celts. The few reliefs preserved from those times are carefully preserved in the museums of Strasbourg and Colmar.
But the architecture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance marked all Alsatian towns and villages with their rich hotels, churches combining elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles, and half-timbered buildings with carved wooden details. Let us remember that Alsace is one of the cradles of humanism and printing, which spread along the Rhine and its tributaries in all neighboring states. The 15th century was the century of the Protestant Reformation preached by Martin Buesser and Jean Calvin. The Treaty of Westphalia of 1648. Alsace gradually passed into the possession of France: in 1681 - Strasbourg, much later - Muluse. This explains such an abundance of hotels in the French style, pressed half-timbered buildings. Thus, stone houses made of pink sandstone complemented the dark wood of white or colored alumina houses, creating a new harmony and not destroying the old one.
Alsace is an area of contrasts where new ideas have always been brought to life. For example, French balconies with iron parts were often built over bay windows or closed in German style.
All Alsace appears in a kind of synthesis, permeating architecture, culinary traditions and art, creating a local flavor. So it's no wonder he's so attractive. Strasbourg Cathedral, the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar and O-Königsburg, which are now joined by the Museum of Ecology in Engersham and the Mulhouse Automobile Museum, are among the most popular in France.
Whether they are called the Road of Romanesque Churches or Castles, the Road of the Peaks or the Sandga Road, the Roast of Carp, or the Tobacco or Wine Road, or the Sauerkraut Road, all routes are extremely interesting, especially if they include visits to Alsatian museums, of which there are more than 240.
Traditional routes are supplemented by guided tours of industrial areas such as Rhine hydroelectric power plants, breweries and automobile factories, textile factories or silver or potash mines, giving a general impression of the economic importance of this area. However, the most striking symbol when visiting Alsace is the building of the European Council. At the time of its creation, it had 10 member countries, now 43. In the European Parliament, established in 1958 under the Treaty of Rome, 626 MEPs represent 370 million Europeans. Built opposite each other in Strasbourg’s European Quarter, the two institutions are the guarantors of a more democratic and cohesive Europe.
A little further on the Rhine completed the construction of a second bridge between France and Germany, named in honor of the former mayor of Strasbourg bridge Pierre Pflimin.
Did you know that the symbol of Alsace is a stork? And storks are no longer in danger of disappearing from this area, since numerous centers for the restoration of birds effectively take care of the preservation of beautiful birds. And finally...
Calendar of notable dates
January
European meeting on art and antiques in Strasbourg.
February
ST'ART - Contemporary Art Salon in Strabourg
march
Carnival in many cities, including Strasbourg
Passion Games at Mazevo
April
Snail festival in Ozenbach
"Vignity" in Ammerschvir
Eurobeer in Strasbourg (in odd years)
May
The Lily Feast in Nef Brizach
Asparagus Festival in Herdt
The St. Louis Book Fair
Alsace Postcard Fair in Pfaffenhoffen
Festival in Dambach-la-Villa
Feast of St. Urban in Kincem
June
The Feast of the Body of the Lord
Gugelhopf Festival in Riboville
Folklore Festival in Hunspakh
Rose Festival in Avern
Burning three fir trees in Thana
International Music Festival in Strasbourg
Fossil Exchange in Saint-Marie-o-min
July International Music Festival in Colmar
Grand parade of cars in Mulhouse
The Feast of the Witch at Ruffach
Wine fair at the Bar
Feast of Fritz's friend in Gunavir
"Streiselhochzeit" - a traditional wedding with a bouquet in Seebach
Augustus
Colmar wine fairs
Gevurztraminer Festival in Bergem
A stork festival in Aegistem
The wedding of Fritz's friend in Marlenem
Procession with flowers in Celeste
Blueberry festival in Wildenstein
Hop festival in Agno
Moon festival in Cohenem
"S'Wielada" - loading wine, as in the old days, in Zellenberg
September
European Fair in Strasbourg
Musica Festival of Contemporary Music in Strasbourg
Festival of Village Musicians in Riboville
Ceramics Festival in Betschdorf and Suflenham
Festival of Young Wine in Saint-Hippolyte
October.
A feast of grape harvesting in Auburn
A loaf festival in Munster
A round pumpkin festival at Logelem
Festival of Young Wine in Aegisem
November
Feast of the roe deer in Ranspach-les-Ba
The beginning of the Christmas market in Strasbourg, Colmar, Andlo
December
Alsace is celebrating Christmas. Markets in Strasbourg, Kaisersberg, Bouviller, Rosem, etc.
A special prospectus is available in the bureau for tourism and excursions, associations for servicing tourists in city halls.
Read my articles and come to Alsace!
Tatiana Zhirnova-Lejal
Photo: http://www.liveinternet.ru/users/3772697/post125196795/