Musée du Dolder
Museum de France housed in the Dolder, the former gate and watchtower of Riquewihr, devoted to the fortified wine town from the 13th to the 17th century.
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About the museum
The Dolder is the emblematic monument of Riquewihr. Rising 25 metres, the tower served as a watchtower and in 1291 surmounted the western gate of the fortified medieval town. Austere on the enemy side, it was fitted out as a dwelling in the 16th century, and its town-side façade received half-timbering. About fifteen metres upstream, the Porte Haute was reinforced around 1500, when a second rampart protected the town after the spread of firearms.
The museum is run by the Société d’histoire et d’archéologie de Riquewihr. It holds the “Musée de France” label and occupies the four levels open to the public. Its collections come largely from gifts by residents since the early 20th century.
The first level presents models and plans of the ramparts and their evolution, with some rampart weapons. The second shows the weapons used to defend the town from the 15th to the 17th century, found in 1888 in a communal barn. The third evokes the living quarters of the night watchman or gatekeeper, with a kitchen, everyday objects, Alsatian headdresses, waffle and kougelhopf moulds, coins, locks and stove tiles. The fourth is devoted to watching over the town, fighting fires and guarding the gates. The lookout offers a view of the rooftops and the Alsace plain.
Highlights
- Dolder tower, 25 metres high, former gate and watchtower of 1291
- Models and plans of the ramparts of Riquewihr
- Defensive weapons from the 15th to 17th centuries: lances, halberds, arquebuses, culverins
- Night watchman’s quarters with everyday objects
- View of the town’s rooftops and the Alsace plain from the top level
Permanent exhibition
- La cité viticole fortifiée du XIIIe au XVIIe siècle – Four levels devoted to the ramparts, defensive weapons, the life of the night watchman and the surveillance of the town.
- Founded
- 1908
- Operated by
- Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Riquewihr (SHAR)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 14 · Free for children under 15 accompanied by an adult. |
| Combined ticket with the Tour des Voleurs and the Maison de vigneron | €7 |
Special offer for groups of 10 or more (details not specified).
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
All four levels of the museum are reached by a very steep stone staircase, which also used to lead to the wall walk.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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