Sainte-Foy Church

The Sainte-Foy Church, a major stop on the Romanesque route of Alsace, is one of the oldest buildings in Sélestat. Its history dates back to 1087, when Hildegarde de Buren had a chapel built there, which she donated in 1094 to the Abbey of Conques. In the 12th century, monks from Rouergue established a priory there, giving rise to the first Romanesque church. In the 17th century, a Jesuit community took possession and transformed the building in a Baroque style, before the Germans altered the church again at the end of the 19th century. Architect Charles Winckler, in charge of the restoration, removed the Baroque additions to restore the church's original appearance, while adding two Germanic spires to the façade. Today, the church preserves Hildegarde de Buren's crypt, where a cast of a death mask discovered in 1893 still intrigues: is it hers or her daughter's? Nicknamed "The Beautiful Unknown of Sélestat," this mystery remains unsolved. In the choir, the contemporary works Volante VI & VII by Fabrizio Corneli come to life when the switches located on either side of the altar are activated.