The fortification wall of Saint-Hippolyte is first mentioned in 1313 and was probably built in the first quarter of the 14th century. A large part of the wall has been preserved and often forms the rear wall of later buildings that were constructed against it.
Culture and history
The Tour des Cigognes is the only completely preserved former flanking tower of the fortification and stands at the southeastern corner of the complex.
The somewhat newer nave of Saint-Hippolyte parish church was built from east to west in the 15th century. The choir is considered the oldest part of the building and can be dated to the 14th century.
The Chapelle Sainte-Croix stands at the southeastern entrance to Saint-Hippolyte; a fragment of the True Cross is kept and venerated there. The Saint-Hippolyte fountain was listed as a historic monument by decree of 11 May 1932. The Gare du Kaiser was built in 1903 to provide access to the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg.
Anyone wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Saint-Hippolyte chooses the town as a specific destination for their accommodation search.
Wine and landscape
Domaine Fahrer et fils offers guided tours of the cellar and the old underground wine barrels, presenting the history of the winery, which has been developed through four generations. The cellar tour includes a tasting of five wines and an introduction to the secrets of the winemaker’s craft. A gourmet-oriented tour pairs five wines with a platter of cheese and cold cuts, using local, fresh and seasonal products.
In Saint-Hippolyte, the Grand Cru Gloeckelberg covers a 20-are vineyard area; it faces south to southeast and lies on granite soil.
Activities
In the forests of Saint-Hippolyte, you can fish for trout in the direction of the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg. The marked Chemin Wall offers a walk along the outside of Saint-Hippolyte’s fortification walls.
