Turckheim

French commune
nomcommune=Turckheim|

département=Haut-Rhin ("préfecture")
arrondissement=Colmar
canton=Chief town of 2 cantons
insee=68230
cp=68230
maire=Jean-Pierre SCHALLER
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Colmar
longitude=7.28111111111
latitude=48.0872222222
alt moy=240 m
alt mini=219 m
alt maxi=840 m
hectares=1646 ha
km²= 16.46
sans=3594
date-sans=1999
dens=978|date-dens=1999Infobox Former Country
native_name = "Reichsstadt Türkheim" (de)
"Ville libre de Turckheim" (fr)
conventional_long_name = Imperial City of Turckheim
common_name = Turckheim
continent = Europe
region = Central Europe
country = France
era = Middle Ages
status = City-state
empire = Holy Roman Empire
government_type = Republic
year_start = 1312
year_end = 1648
event_start = Gained "Reichsfreiheit"
date_start =
event1 = Received city rights,
spaces|4joined the "Décapole"
date_event1 =
1354
event_end = Ceded to France
date_end = October 24 1648
event_post = Treaties of Nijmegen
spaces|4end the "Décapole"
date_post =
January 26 1679
p1 = Duchy of Swabia
image_p1 =
s1 = Early Modern France
flag_s1 = Flag of the Kingdom of France.pngcapital = Turckheim
footnotes =

Turckheim ( _de. Türkheim) is a small town and commune in Alsace, France. It lies in the Haut-Rhin "département", west of Colmar, on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains. The population is estimated to be 3594 (1999). Turckheim is in the canton of Wintzenheim at the entrance to the Munster Valley.

Attractions and Features

Turckheim, located in Alsace, is a charmingly petite village known for its Gewürztraminer, 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 the 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.

See also

Colmar, the seat of the Haut-Rhin is a marvellously preserved Alsatian city about 1.5 km from Turckheim. It is reachable by train, car, bicycle (about 15 minutes), or foot.

External links

* [http://www.turckheim.fr/ Turckheim Tourism]
* [http://auplaisirduveilleur.club.fr/ Turckheim & Trois-Epis (french)]