Saint Ulrich Tetraconch Chapel and Its Frescoes

In the heart of the village of Avolsheim, the Saint-Ulrich chapel is located near the Alsace wine route, about twenty kilometers from Strasbourg.

Built in the 9th century, it is the oldest Carolingian sanctuary still standing in Alsace, as confirmed by archaeological excavations carried out in 1967. Its central plan shaped like a four-leaf clover, with a dome and an octagonal bell tower added during the Romanesque period, makes it a remarkable building. The bell tower, topped with a tiled spire, features windows alternating between single and paired openings, while a richly decorated door provides access to the staircase leading to the bell tower from the north. In 1774, Saint-Ulrich became the village's parish church, leading to the addition of a nave and choir, thus altering its original layout. Too small, a new church, Saint-Materne, was built in 1911 in a Neo-Romanesque style. The later additions to Saint-Ulrich were demolished, leaving only the chapel's original part. Inside, 12th-century frescoes, rediscovered in 1968, adorn the walls. Probably covered with whitewash during the Reformation, they feature dominant shades of green, red, and ochre, although their deteriorated condition makes them difficult to read. The dome houses a starry sky depicting the Holy Trinity, while the drum shows the four evangelists. Four paintings, separated by Romanesque windows, complete this decoration. These frescoes underwent major restoration in the 15th century. In the 19th century, it was hypothesized that the chapel might have been an ancient baptistery due to its circular plan, but an archaeological survey in 1937 revealed only traces of older floors and backfills. Today, the Saint-Ulrich chapel can be visited by groups by reservation through the Tourist Office.