Andy's Germany Adventure: Day 15

Monday 24 January 2011
Stuttgart, Badem-Württemberg.
3150 km (1970 miles) driven.

Q. When the museums in Germany are closed Mondays, what does a dedicated culcha vulcha do?
A. Go to France, of course!

And so I did. from Stuttgart I made the 500km round trip to Colmar in the Alsace region of France. I took the scenic route through the national park called Kaiserstuhl (Emperor's chair) in the beautiful hilly wine-making area of the German Oberrhein (Upper Rhine) region. It has a combination of pretty villages, scenic walking paths and vineyards. I even found the chair!

Crossing the Rhine, now an open border, brings one into the Alsace. The Alsace was originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then joined France, was then taken over by the German Empire, then France after the first world war, then the Third Reich during the second world war, now France again. It seems to shrug its shoulders and get on with life. For me, its significance lies in the artistic activities of the 15th and 16th centuries. In pursuit of knowledge about the Northern Renaissance, who also likes modern art, the Musee d'Unterlinden has both. It is best known for the Issenheim alterpiece by Grünewald, and its collection of works by Martin Schongauer, appropriately housed in a building that is a former cloister. It is rather less well known for its small but fine collection of modern paintings by the likes of Leger, Longuet, Zack; a Picasso; and some lovely sculptures by Simone Boisecq - new discovery for me.
It also has archaeology, mediaeval arrmour, 19th century decorative arts and many other items. This museum is a gem!

Headed back via Strasbourg, crossed the Rhine at Kehl, and returned to Stuttgart.