Abbaye de Murbach
Abbaye de Murbach
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
130 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
60
Average
14
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Shawn L
29 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
There's a little path just before the Abbey leading up to the chapel. It's a 5 minute hike, not very strenuous. Suggest looking at the Abbey from the top and going into the chapel.
The chapel is tiny but very charming. Worth a stop if you are in the area.
The chapel is tiny but very charming. Worth a stop if you are in the area.
Written April 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EdgarCosset
Brooklyn, NY1,752 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Even in its partial remains Murbach is the outstanding Romanesque monument in Alsace and is well worth a journey.
With only the transept, choir, massive east façade and two towers surviving, the pink sandstone husk still has the power to inspire and aesthetically satisfy. The columns of the blind gallery beneath the gable are all subtly different and are enriched with sculptures of faces, animals and floral designs. The two lions over the portal of the south transept delight in their directness. Is the one on the right sticking out its tongue to welcome or dis you? Situated in a narrow, leafy valley leading up into the foothills of Le Grand Ballon (the round mountaintop which is the highest point in Alsace) the setting evokes both a spiritual and romantic sensibility.
At its height in the 12thcentury, Murbach was one of the four most important ecclesiastical centers of the Holy Roman Empire with even Charlemagne assuming the secular title Abbot of Murbach. In addition to their intellectual treasures such as an extensive library (for the times), the abbots controlled over three hundred properties in the area to include at least 33 towns and villages outright. The Black Dog of Murbach was widely respected if not feared. Its patrimony didn’t come to France until the end of the Thirty Years War and by the 18th century it had been secularized and largely destroyed by commercial quarrying and the French Revolution.
Today it is both an important historic building and a well-maintained, active church. Visiting is possible most days and in summer a tour is offered on Thursdays. The traditional best view is from the little chapel on the side of the hill.
With only the transept, choir, massive east façade and two towers surviving, the pink sandstone husk still has the power to inspire and aesthetically satisfy. The columns of the blind gallery beneath the gable are all subtly different and are enriched with sculptures of faces, animals and floral designs. The two lions over the portal of the south transept delight in their directness. Is the one on the right sticking out its tongue to welcome or dis you? Situated in a narrow, leafy valley leading up into the foothills of Le Grand Ballon (the round mountaintop which is the highest point in Alsace) the setting evokes both a spiritual and romantic sensibility.
At its height in the 12thcentury, Murbach was one of the four most important ecclesiastical centers of the Holy Roman Empire with even Charlemagne assuming the secular title Abbot of Murbach. In addition to their intellectual treasures such as an extensive library (for the times), the abbots controlled over three hundred properties in the area to include at least 33 towns and villages outright. The Black Dog of Murbach was widely respected if not feared. Its patrimony didn’t come to France until the end of the Thirty Years War and by the 18th century it had been secularized and largely destroyed by commercial quarrying and the French Revolution.
Today it is both an important historic building and a well-maintained, active church. Visiting is possible most days and in summer a tour is offered on Thursdays. The traditional best view is from the little chapel on the side of the hill.
Written November 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayley S
Las Vegas, NV41 contributions
May 2019
Modest church but in a beautiful quiet neighborhood with horses out in front as well. Free entry. Brochures and books about the history of this historic Alsatian church.
Written May 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan v
Assen, The Netherlands95 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
You get there with a very small road and then, right in front of you there is this imposing abbaye the Murbach. You have to park about 100 metres before on the left side.
Don't forget to walk through the medieval garden inbetween the abbaye and the parkinglot. On the other side of the abbaye is another garden and cemetery
It's just amazing to see an old building like this, hidden on a mountain. When you are around you just have to visit this!
Don't forget to walk through the medieval garden inbetween the abbaye and the parkinglot. On the other side of the abbaye is another garden and cemetery
It's just amazing to see an old building like this, hidden on a mountain. When you are around you just have to visit this!
Written August 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesco M
Milan, Italy207 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Very unusual abbey: imposing on the outside the you arrive from Guebwiller but very small on the back. Interesting history. It is worth a stop and the surroundings are very nice.
Written July 7, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Asta365
Kent, TX581 contributions
Sept 2015 • Solo
The facade of the Abbaye de Murbach is in superb condition. The sandstone, Romanesque facade is all that is left of the original, large abbey church. The interior has a several good religious carvings that appear to be older in form and style along with modern stained glass. A thorough visit can be accomplished in about 20 minutes.
I highly recommend a five (5) minute hike up the Chapel of Loretto which overlooks the abbey. A fairly recent restoration of this very old chapel is harmonious, it doesn't give offense, and is actually very touching. From this vantage point, one can also see how the town cemetery outlines what was once the main part of the church. The view of the abbey's facade from this height, with lush forests and high hills in the background, is well worth your time.
Plenty of free parking outside is found about 200 meters from the abbey. Uniquely, there is a for-fee RV sanitary hook-up at one side of the parking lot. There is also an extensive medieval medicinal herb garden next to the parking lot - more complete than many I have seen!
I highly recommend a five (5) minute hike up the Chapel of Loretto which overlooks the abbey. A fairly recent restoration of this very old chapel is harmonious, it doesn't give offense, and is actually very touching. From this vantage point, one can also see how the town cemetery outlines what was once the main part of the church. The view of the abbey's facade from this height, with lush forests and high hills in the background, is well worth your time.
Plenty of free parking outside is found about 200 meters from the abbey. Uniquely, there is a for-fee RV sanitary hook-up at one side of the parking lot. There is also an extensive medieval medicinal herb garden next to the parking lot - more complete than many I have seen!
Written September 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paintermom
Concord, MA101 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
We spend a lovely hour one morning visiting this quiet Abbey. It is a bit off the beaten track, but definitely worth the drive. There are many marked hiking trails right there, if you are inclined. There is a beautiful and quaint medieval garden as you approach the Abbey that you must walk through. We took a small walk up the hillside to a chapel that overlooks the Abbey. The views of the Abbey from here are the best. Important to note, there are clean WCs right on the property, a gift when traveling in France.
Written August 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fred T
Reno, NV727 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Rode my bicycle up the steep valley road from Guebwiller. The building cannot be missed as it is next to the road. Went inside and it was smaller than I expected. Walked uphill (to the right) to the small church to get a better picture. It looks just like the guide book showed.
Written April 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stefan G
Biel, Switzerland1,125 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
... due to lack of preparation. At least the view when approaching through the remote valley was very interesting. The remainders to me were a bit disappointing but now knowing that there was such more helps to ease the frustration.
The small place Murbach is really beautiful. We had horrible weather but under better conditions take time to stroll around and enjoy nature.
It is hard to believe that such a small place very remote and far from Switzerland had so much property and even founded Lucerne.
The small place Murbach is really beautiful. We had horrible weather but under better conditions take time to stroll around and enjoy nature.
It is hard to believe that such a small place very remote and far from Switzerland had so much property and even founded Lucerne.
Written November 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pargoman
Kaiserslautern, Germany295 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
A shaddow only of it's past. During the 30 years war half destroyed, but still impressive and enchanted in the valley of Murbach.
Written October 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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