Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey

Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey (aka "Hohenburg Abbey") was founded by Adalrich, Duke of Alsace, around 690. First abbess of the nunnery was his daughter Sainte Odile (aka "Odile of Alsace"), who by now is the patron saint of the Alsace, making the abbey today to a place of pilgrimage in the area.

The monastery got damaged, destroyed and looted a couple of times. After the French Revolution it got sold - and finally in 1853 the catholics of the Alsace had collected enough money, to buy it back - and present the buildings to the Bishop of Strassburg.

Only a few structures of the monastery, constructed within the 12th century after the older buildings burnt down, have survived the times.

One that still exists after more than 800 years is the baptistry (aka "Holy Cross Chapel"). This room is dominated by this massive central pillar. Eight hands are necessary at the base to keep the pillar in a stable, upright positition.