The best traffic-free bike rides around Bischofsheim Im Elsass

The Odilienberg (763 m) in Alsace is the most important spiritual center of the region. Founded around 690 by Saint Odilia, the monastery attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims annually. The centerpiece of the complex is the Basilica of the Assumption of Mary (1687–1692) with the burial chapel, where the relics of the patron saint rest in an 8th-century sandstone sarcophagus. Directly on the panoramic terrace are the Chapel of Tears and the Chapel of Angels (12th century), known for their luminous gold mosaics from 1935. Inside the basilica, there is also a fine wooden inlaid Way of the Cross by Charles Spindler. Below the monastery rocks runs a magnificent hiking trail. It leads past the monumental, colorful ceramic Way of the Cross (14 stations) and the Lourdes Grotto, both integrated directly into the red sandstone by Léon Elchinger in the 1930s. About a 15-minute walk further down, the Odilien spring emerges in the forest, its water traditionally sought for eye ailments. The entire mountain plateau is enclosed by the Heidenmauer, a mysterious, 11-kilometer-long prehistoric defensive wall. Following the hiking trails further south, you reach the Maennelstein (817 m), the highest point of the ridge, which offers a wide panoramic view over the Rhine plain to the Black Forest. The monastery grounds are open all year round and admission is free. Would you like to use this short text for a brochure or are you still looking for information on how to get there for your tour? AI answers may contain errors. For legal advice, you should consult an expert. More information

The Heidenmauer (French: Mur Païen) is a monumental, eleven-kilometer-long fortification from the early Middle Ages that encloses the high plateau of Mont Sainte-Odile in Alsace. For centuries, the imposing structure has fascinated archaeologists and visitors alike with its sheer dimension and construction method. Around 300,000 irregularly hewn sandstone blocks were stacked without mortar to form a dry-stone wall up to two meters wide. To give the huge blocks stability, the builders connected them with swallowtail-shaped wooden clamps made of oak. This extraordinary technique secured the structure against the shifting of stones on the steep forest terrain. For a long time, the facility was surrounded by great mystery. Due to the name Pope Leo IX gave the wall in the 11th century, its origin was suspected to be prehistoric, Celtic, or Roman times. Modern scientific investigations finally brought clarity: using dendrochronology (tree-ring analysis), the wooden connecting wedges could be precisely dated to the late 7th or early 8th century AD. The wall thus originated in the Merovingian era. To this day, research puzzles over the exact purpose of this gigantic facility. The most likely theory is that the wall served as a mighty refuge for the population in times of political unrest. At the same time, the monumental structure demonstrated the claim to power and prestige of the then Dukes of Alsace, to whose family Saint Odilia also belonged. Today, the Heidenmauer is a protected cultural monument and a popular destination for hikers. A well-signposted circular trail leads in the shade of the trees directly along the historical remains and connects the ruins with mystical places such as the Druid's Grotto and the monastery on the mountain summit.

There are freshly squeezed juices, cakes, coffee. Perfect for a short break.

Very nice place with running water

Opening hours daily: 9:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 18:00.

Great church building, unfortunately the church was closed

A very idyllic little town on the edge of the Vosges Mountains. Lovely alleyways and plenty of cafés and restaurants invite you to take a short break.

Impressive what was built in the past