Collegiate Church of Saint-Florent

The Collegiate Church of Saint-Florent, a gem of Gothic art built between the 13th and 14th centuries, stands majestically in Niederhaslach, about forty kilometers from Strasbourg. Since 810, it has been a major pilgrimage site thanks to the relics of Saint Florent, bishop of Strasbourg in the 6th century, successor to Arbogast and predecessor to Ansoald. Its imposing façade, adorned with an elegant portal and a sculpted tympanum from 1310 illustrating the saint's legend, is complemented by gargoyles symbolizing the ailments for which people come to pray here.

Inside, the choir and apse, dating from 1274 to 1287, form the oldest part of the building. The stained glass windows of the aisles, made in the 14th century, form one of the rare medieval ensembles still in place in Alsace. They depict biblical scenes and the lives of saints. Even older are those in the nave, probably dating back to the 13th century. The rose window, in the shape of a curved hexalobe four meters in diameter, dates from the 14th century.

The Chapel of the Virgin, built in 1344, houses a rare monument: the Holy Sepulchre from the late 14th century, entirely preserved in its original state. Unique in Alsace along with the one in Haguenau, it stands next to the tombstone of Gerlach, son of Erwin de Steinbach, master builder of Strasbourg Cathedral, who died in 1330 during reconstruction work after the 1287 fire. The choir is also marked by the presence of a gilded statue of Saint Florent.

A light phenomenon occurs every year at the summer solstice: thanks to a particular orientation, the stained glass windows of the apse illuminate at sunrise, highlighting their colors and figures, even in the absence of direct sunlight.

An annual pilgrimage is held on Sunday, November 7th or the following Sunday. Group visits are possible by reservation through the Tourist Office.