Religious heritage

Alsace is a land of great spirituality and has been for centuries past. Romanesque art was practised extensively over a long period of time and is characterised by some remarkable monastic churches. Enhanced by the growth of the towns, the apotheosis of Gothic art is found in Strasbourg Cathedral. After the Thirty Years' War, superb edifices were built such as Ebersmunster, in flamboyant Baroque style.

In a number of villages, there are two churches, reflecting the presence of both Catholic and Protestant communities. Furthermore, the density of rural synagogues still present today demonstrate how extensive the Jewish community has been since the Middle Ages. The Concordat regime specific to Alsace and Moselle has contributed to these three faiths being so firmly rooted here. The French Law of 1905 introducing the separation of the Church and the State does not in fact concern the region, which was annexed to Germany at the time.

Today, Alsace remains the most multidenominational region of France.