Fortified city Obernai

At the foot of Mont Sainte-Odile, between the Wine Route (Route des Vins) and the Sauerkraut Route (Route de la Choucroute), Obernai concentrates all the picturesque charms of Alsace with its ramparts, half-timbering and alleyways, where time seems to have stood still.

Markers

Placed under the guardianship of the Hohenbourg Monastery (the current Mont Sainte-Odile), Obernai rose to the rank of city around 1240 and erected its fortifications before becoming an imperial city in 1354. The 16th century marked the city’s high-point thanks to crafts and viticulture. In 1679, under Louis XIV, it became a royal city and experienced a new boom. Spared by the two world wars, the city is one of the jewels of the Alsatian vineyard.

History

Obernai is the birthplace of Sainte-Odile, patron saint of Alsace, born blind, and who miraculously regained her sight when she was baptised at the age of thirteen. She founded two monasteries, one overlooking the city and the other in Niedermunster. One morning on her way there, Odile passed a blind beggar. She struck a rock, bursting out a refreshing source of water which healed the man of his blindness and still attracts thousands of pilgrims today.

Key points

Walking alongside its ramparts and ditches, crossing its fortified gates, admiring its watchtowers and its belfry is to pass through Obernai’s medieval history, which continues with its Renaissance town hall, its enticing Halle aux Blés (corn exchange) and the amazing Six Sceaux Well (Six Buckets’ Well).

Practical informations

Address


67210 Obernai

Nearest tourism office
Office de tourisme d'Obernai
Place du Beffroi, Obernai
info@tourisme-obernai.fr - 03 88 95 64 13
www.tourisme-obernai.fr - Facebook @VisitObernai
GPS coordinates
Lat.: 48.46228631 - Long.: 7.48070240

You would also like

Obernai-Barr vineyard circuit

Obernai-Barr vineyard circuit

The circuit crosses a picture-postcard landscape: flowery villages, undulating vines ... The highlight is the town of Barr, the wine-growing...

More infos

Obernai-Barr vineyard circuit

Obernai-Barr vineyard circuit

The circuit crosses a picture-postcard landscape: flowery villages, undulating vines ... The highlight is the town of Barr, the wine-growing capital of Bas-Rhin, and its Renaissance Town Hall. Download the circuit


67210 Obernai

Obernai-Rosheim circuit via the 'Voie Verte'

Obernai-Rosheim circuit via the 'Voie Verte'

Laid out on the old railway line linking Rosheim to Saint-Nabor, the new greenway "Portes Bonheur, le chemin des carrières"...

More infos

Obernai-Rosheim circuit via the 'Voie Verte'

Obernai-Rosheim circuit via the 'Voie Verte'

Laid out on the old railway line linking Rosheim to Saint-Nabor, the new greenway "Portes Bonheur, le chemin des carrières" is an original creation of the Community of Communes of the Portes de Rosheim. Along its 11 km, you can admire various natural spaces and works of contemporary art. Download the circuit


67210 Obernai

Nearby

Birkenfels Castle

On the hills of Ottrott, in the heart of the Obernai forest, between white fir trees, maple trees and sessile...

Read more

Kagenfels Castle

Perched at an altitude of 677 m in the heart of the Obernai and Bernardswiller forests, the castle is located...

Read more

Ottrott Castles

United on the Elsberg plateau at an altitude of almost 500 m, in the heart of a lush forest, Rathsamhausen...

Read more

Rosheim

Beautiful Alsatian city of the Wine Route and the Romanesque Road, Rosheim enjoys a particularly rich heritage, whether culinary or...

Read more