This site is a monument to the memory of 30,000 French and German soldiers that died during World War 1 fighting to gain control of this strategically important location.
Even today the fortifications and military buildings are impressive.
Listed as a historic monument in 1921, this monument of Franco-German remembrance is one of the most-visited sites in Alsace where many artistic works pay tribute to peace.
Almost 30,000 French and German soldiers fell at Hartmannswillerkopf. Among them, 1256 French soldiers are interred in the national cemetery. In the Crypt are three altars: one Catholic, one Protestant and one Israelite.
On the vast square over the Crypt stands the altar of the Homeland (l’autel de la Patrie), the sides of which bear the coats of arms of towns that contributed towards the monument.
The battlefield, a promontory of the Vosges Mountain range was one of the major challenges of the battles that took place on the Vosges front between 1914 and 1918.
The military installations and fortifications are still impressive. These buildings are spread throughout the site and cover all categories: trenches, shelters, etc.
Guided visits are free-of-charge every Wednesday afternoon in July and August from 14:30
From April to November, guided visits of the battlefield are offered to groups by reservation at ADT Colmar.
Battlefield accessible from 1 April to 15 November.
Crypt open from 10:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday.
Text from http://www.high-vosges-of-alsace.com/en/visits-discovery/military-heritage/item/hartmannsweilerkopf-peak-in-wattwiller.html#.UvFGuftKQ0p
