We met up with our good friends Sharon and Trevor back in June 2017, Ron and I caught a train after we spent 2 wonderful nights in Mantova Italy.  We began our trip bright and early on the train and traveled through Northern Italy and all through Switzerland and that was enjoying to watch the scenery from our window and then we finally arrived in Colmar after changing trains in Basil, Swizerland.  We then jumped into a taxi and we arrived in front of our Airbnb accomodation which was our home for the next 3 nights. 

After reading and looking at photos of Colmar it was so much prettier in person to experience. Images of colourful timbered houses, little canals, an abundance of overflowing flower pots and uneven cobblestone streets and  great white wines, how can you go wrong with Colmar, not too mention the good food here.  Colmar is a real gem in the Alsace. The city has a very well preserved city center and a picturesque quarter called " Little Venice" with colourful timbered houses and little canals.
Below is the Schwendi Fountain.  This fountain designed by Auguste Bartholdi in 1898 is surmounted by a bronze statue of Lazare de Schwendi (1522-1583). Demolished in 1940, the fountain was rebuilt after the war with a smaller fountain basin, oriented differently.  The statue is now back on the former customs place.  Lazare de Schwendi was war chief between 1564 and 1568 under the emperor Maximilian 11 and fought against the Turks in Hungary, from where he would have broughtthe grape variety from Tokay.  August Bartholdi was inspired by this legend and decided to represent Lazare de Schwendi with a vine stock in the hand which you can see.
This is the Quai de la Poissonnerie (Fishing Quay) which is accessible by a small bridge that crosses Rue des Tanneurs.  Fishermen use to sell fresh fish here that had been caught in Comar's waters.  The brightly coloured, little half timbered houses belonged to the members of the powerful fishing corporation. Now the Quai de la Poissonnerie leads to Rue de Turenne, site of the old Krutenau ( the fruit and vegetable Market).
Below is St Martin's Church 1234 -1365.  The largest church of Colmar and the largest in Haut-Rhin.   Displays some early stained glass windows, several Gothic and Renaissance sculptures and altars, a grand Baroque organ case. 
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Above is the Roesselmann Fountain, Auguste Bartholdi's statue, sculpted in 1888, represents the public judge Jean Roesselmann.  He passed away while defending Colmar and the municipal liberties agains the troops and the covetousness of the Bishop of Strasbourg.  He is also considered as the first hero of Colmar and has similarities with the Hercule de Peyerimhoff, the mayor of the city from 1855 to 1877, who was relieved from his duties because he refused to submit to the German authorities.  Taken away by the Germans in 1943, the bronze statue was restored and reinstalled in 1945 on a white stone monument decorated with four fishes.
Below this Monument is a statue of the Poet and teacher Theophile Conrad Pfeffel  (1736-1809) who was born in Colmar is a copy of an original work of Andre Friedrich (1859). Initially placed in front of the Unterlinden Museum, the statue was damaged and was replaced by a bronze copy in 1899. However in September 1918, this copy was removed and brought to Frankfurt to be melted for weapons purposes.  The current statue was Sculpted by Charles Geiss in 1927 and installed in the square next to the former sovereign palace.



We we're fortunate to see these big beautiful white Storks of Alsace.  For many centuries, these graceful white birds have been a yearly presence in Alsace during the warmer months and featured largely in Alsatian folklore.  Alsace Storks, locals legends consider yourself lucky should Alsace storks perch upon your roof.
I asked permission to take these 3 handsome Police officer's photos and they we're more than willing to oblige for me.