Turckheim

Not to be confused with Türkheim.
Turckheim

Entrance to Turckheim through the Porte de France

Coat of arms
Turckheim

Coordinates: 48°05′14″N 7°16′52″E / 48.0872°N 7.2811°E / 48.0872; 7.2811Coordinates: 48°05′14″N 7°16′52″E / 48.0872°N 7.2811°E / 48.0872; 7.2811
Country France
Region Grand Est
Department Haut-Rhin
Arrondissement Colmar-Ribeauvillé
Canton Wintzenheim
Intercommunality Colmar
Government
 • Mayor (2001–2008) Jean-Pierre Schaller
Area1 16.46 km2 (6.36 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 3,798
 • Density 230/km2 (600/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 68230 / 68230
Elevation 219–840 m (719–2,756 ft)
(avg. 240 m or 790 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.
Imperial City of Turckheim
Reichsstadt Türkheim (de)
Ville libre de Turckheim (fr)
Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire
1312–1648


Coat of arms

Capital Turckheim
Government Republic
Historical era Middle Ages
 •  Gained Imp. immediacy 1312
 • Received city rights,
    joined the Décapole		  
1354
 •  Ceded to France 24 October 1648
 • Treaties of Nijmegen
    end the Décapole
26 January 1679
Preceded by 		Succeeded by
Duchy of Swabia
Early modern France
Today part of  France

Turckheim (Alsatian: Tercka ; German: Türkheim) is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. It lies west of Colmar, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains.

Places of interest

Turckheim, located in Alsace, is a village known for its Gewürztraminer wines, traditional Alsatian cuisine, and stunning surrounding scenery.

Turckheim is probably most well known for its surrounding medieval wall. The wall has three doors, or portes: The Munster Door, which opens into the Munster Valley; The Door of the Brand, which begins the Route des Vins; and the Door of France, through which lies the railway station and the roads to Colmar. These three portals help distinguish the village from the majority of Alsatian towns by lending it a unique character.

Another attractive feature of Turckheim is the Night Watchman. The traditionally dressed Turckheim native, cloaked in black and carrying a halberd and lamp makes the rounds at 22.00 (10pm) each night from May to October. As he strolls the protected city, he sings a number of Alsatian favorites. The Watchman is often accompanied by a throng of tourists attempting to join in the songs. Some newcomers to the town have been surprised to have a seemingly tranquil early evening interrupted by a crowd of carolers led around by a Nightwatchman.

Surrounding the village are the stunning Vosges foothills. Topping many of these soft, green hills are old castles and fortifications. These are all reachable by foot or by bike. The town is also nestled among a series of dramatically colorful vineyards, which produce the regions delectably delicious white wine.

Culture

Turckheim boasts a particularly quaint and well-kept city. Few of its early Renaissance buildings were destroyed in the numerous wars which have swept through Alsace and Moselle, therefore the destination is popular for tourists interested in the Alsatian building style typified by half-timbered homes, varied pastel wall colorings, and flowers. In fact, Turckheim is a ville fleurie, meaning it is considered one of the most floribund cities in France.

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ↑ Billich, André (1975). Histoire d'une ancienne ville impériale: Turckheim, pp. 83 and 171. Éditions Alsatia (French)
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