Porte des Forgerons

The Porte des Forgerons marks the entrance to the medieval town center of Molsheim, an Alsatian town located on the wine route about twenty kilometers from Strasbourg. Built in the early 14th century, this fortified gate was once preceded by a drawbridge spanning a water-filled moat. It remains the main witness to the city's former fortifications.

In the early 20th century, two small houses were added on either side of the gate: the tollhouse on the left and the guardhouse on the right. Under its roof, the Porte des Forgerons houses an imposing bell weighing 4,000 kg, cast in 1412 by Master André of Colmar. It comes from the former Saint George's Church, once located on the Market Square.

A cast iron statue of the Virgin and Child, gilded with gold leaf, also stands near the gate. Weighing 500 kg and nearly two meters tall, this 1868 sculpture was donated to the town by the local bourgeoisie.