Grands Crus : [ Furstentum ] [ Schlossberg ]
History
" Conesheim " is quoted as of 785.
Various seigniories shared it during the Middle Age, most of the time it depended on the seigniory of " Hohlandsberg " which belonged to the " Habsbourg ".
The village was pawned to the Count of " Lupfen " in the 15th century.
This one established himself there, had the castle built, surrounded the village with ramparts towards 1430 and conferred to it the privileges of a city in 1460.
During the 16th century, the village became the property of " Lazarus von Schwendi ", general of the emperor during the war against the French and the Turks.
It was this same " Lazarus von Schwendi " who either introduced on his lands a new type of vine called Tokay (says a strong legend), or brought back of his tour some wine of Tokay.
After the Thirty Year's War, Kientzheim, fell down to the level of a village.
Kientzheim was also heavily damaged during the battle of the " Poche of Colmar " ( pocket of German resistance ) during the winter 1944 - 1945.
Sightseeing
Picturesque village with numerous buildings to be seen.
Remains of a Roman villa.
The castle of the " Schwendi ", from the end of the 16th century, nearby the fortified gate " East " currently belongs to the brotherhood called " Confrérie Saint-Étienne d'Alsace " oenological association which works for the preservation of the tradition of local wine making, know how and quality.
An other castle belonging to the " Reichenstein ", dating from the18th century, is located close to the western gateway.
Beautiful remnants of the ramparts with a gun-hole in the shape of a laughing mask, known as " Laili ".
Numerous old houses.
Chapel Saints Felix and Regula, entirely rebuilt after the terrible destruction of 1944 with restored to origin popular ex votos dating from the beginning of the 18th and of the 19th centuries.
The " Our Lady's church " dating of 1722 with its bell-tower-choir from the 15th century, graves of the lords of " Schwendi " going back to 1584 and 1609, the Gothic ossuary beside the bell-tower and baroque altars.
Miscellaneous Informations
Site on the outlet of the valley of the river Weiss.
Communal forest.
Vine: Route des Vins d'Alsace, wine co-operative, Grand Crus Wines " Furstentum " and " Schlossberg ".
Wine path of the " Furstentum " and " Schlossberg " : 2,5 miles within 1 hour 30 to 2 hours.
House of the Alsatian Wine in the dependences of the castle.
Vineyard and Alsatian Wines Museum, Brotherhood Saint Etienne d'Alsace
Orchards.
Horticulture.
Patron's feast on March 18th.
Fires of the Saint John at the end of June.
Intensive socio-cultural community life : choral society, music school, society of history.
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