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Kaysersberg

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Part of Kaysersberg Vignoble in Grand Est, France

Delegated commune of Kaysersberg Vignoble in Grand Est, France
Kaysersberg Kaiserschbarig (Alsatian)
Kaisersberg (German)
Delegated commune of Kaysersberg Vignoble
The town as seen from the castleThe town as seen from the castle
Coat of arms of KaysersbergCoat of arms
Location of Kaysersberg
Kaysersberg is located in FranceKaysersbergKaysersbergShow map of FranceKaysersberg is located in Grand EstKaysersbergKaysersbergShow map of Grand Est
Coordinates: 48°08′N 7°16′E / 48.14°N 7.26°E / 48.14; 7.26
CountryFrance
RegionGrand Est
DepartmentHaut-Rhin
ArrondissementColmar-Ribeauvillé
CantonSainte-Marie-aux-Mines
CommuneKaysersberg Vignoble
Area24.82 km (9.58 sq mi)
Population2,426
 • Density98/km (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal code68240
Elevation236–924 m (774–3,031 ft)
(avg. 240 m or 790 ft)
French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Kaysersberg (French: [kajzœʁsbɛʁɡ]; German: Kaisersberg [ˈkaɪzɐsbɛʁk] ; Alsatian: Kaiserschbarig) is a historical town and former commune in Alsace in northeastern France. The name is German for Emperor's Mountain. The high fortress that dominates the town serves as a reminder of both its strategic importance and its warlike past.

Kaysersberg lies in the canton of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, which itself is a subdivision of the Colmar-Ribeauvillé arrondissement. It was a separate commune until 1 January 2016, when it was merged into the new commune of Kaysersberg Vignoble together with nearby Kientzheim and Sigolsheim, and remains its seat.

The town was first mentioned in 1227, when Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor purchased the castle and gave orders to refortify it. During the Middle Ages, Kaysersberg, a member of the Décapole, prospered. In 1648, the city became a part of France, although most inhabitants continued to speak German. From 1871 to 1918 and (again from 1940 to 1944) Kaysersberg belonged to Germany.

In 2017 Kaysersberg was voted the Village préféré des Français (Village favoured by the French). The inhabitants are called Kaysersbergeois.

Geography

Kaysersberg lies about 12 kilometres (7 mi) northwest of Colmar, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains, on the river Weiss.

Kaysersberg lies on the Route des Vins d'Alsace (Alsace "Wine Route"). Kaysersberg is north of Ammerschwihr and south of Riquewihr.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1962 2,821—    
1968 2,979+0.91%
1975 2,942−0.18%
1982 2,707−1.18%
1990 2,755+0.22%
1999 2,676−0.32%
2007 2,720+0.20%
2012 2,705−0.11%
2019 2,426−1.54%
Source: EHESS and INSEE (2007-2019)

Economy

The area around Kaysersberg is one of the finest wine-growing areas in Alsace. The first vines were brought here in the 16th century from Hungary, and wine production is still an important aspect of the town's economy today. Wine produced from the pinot gris variety is a local specialty.

Culture

Kaysersberg is a historic town, that has preserved many architectural monuments. These include:

  • Église Sainte-Croix, the oldest parts of which date form the 13th century
  • Hôtel de ville (town hall), 16th century, renaissance style
  • Oberhof chapel, 14th century
  • Saint-Michel chapel, 16th century
  • Château de Kaysersberg or Schlossberg, 13th century, partly ruined

Tourism

Besides the fact that Alsace wine is produced locally, there is the ruin of Kaysersberg Castle. The ruins of Château de Wineck in Katzenthal, Château de Lupfen-Schwendi and Château de Reichenstein in Kientzheim are within walking distance.

Notable people

Gallery

  • On the left, Oberhof chapel On the left, Oberhof chapel
  • View of Kaysersberg View of Kaysersberg
  • The medieval church The medieval church
  • Fountain and facade of Holy Cross Church Fountain and facade of Holy Cross Church
  • 1518 altar inside the medieval church 1518 altar inside the medieval church
  • Kaysersberg's Renaissance town hall Kaysersberg's Renaissance town hall
  • Albert Schweitzer museum Albert Schweitzer museum
  • Kaysersberg is dominated by the ruins of its castle Kaysersberg is dominated by the ruins of its castle
  • Kaysersberg Castle Kaysersberg Castle
  • Cemetery and vineyards Cemetery and vineyards
  • Bell tower and roofs seen from Schlossberg Bell tower and roofs seen from Schlossberg
  • Maison Herzer Maison Herzer
  • A typical building A typical building

See also

References

  1. ^ Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2019, INSEE
  2. Arrêté 14 July 2015 (in French)
  3. Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Kaysersberg, EHESS (in French).
  4. "Populations légales 2012: Commune de Kaysersberg (68162)". INSEE. 27 December 2014.
  5. Base Mérimée: Église paroissiale Sainte-Marie puis de l'Invention-de-la-Sainte-Croix, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  6. Base Mérimée: Hôtel de ville, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  7. Base Mérimée: Chapelle de l'Oberhof dite Notre-Dame du Scapulaire, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  8. Base Mérimée: Chapelle Saint-Michel et son ossuaire (chapelle inférieure), Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  9. Base Mérimée: Château dit Schlossberg et enceinte, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)

External links

Holy Roman Empire Décapole of the Holy Roman Empire
Alliance of ten Imperial cities of the Holy Roman Empire in the Alsace region 1354-1679
Founding cities
Other cities
Category:Alsace
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