The Alterpiece of Issenheim out-of-hours private tour in the Unterlinden Museum

Visit the Untelinden Museum of Colmar, off-hours, with your personal guide. Before being a museum, Unterlinden was a Monastery founded by two noblewomen, Agnès of Mittelnheim and Agnès of Hergheim in a district know as Sub Tilia which means under the linden trees or Unter(den)linden in German. In the 13th and 14th century, the Monsatery was marked by an intense spiritual and economic development. During the French Revolution, the nuns left the convent that became the property of the City of Colmar. The building was transformed into a museum in the mid 19th century and was then extended with a contemporary new building that perfectly integrates with the medieval architecture. 

A special visit of the Issenheim Altarpiece

Certainly the most exceptional work of Art this is housed in the Museum is the Issenheim Altarpiece that was created by Niclaus of Hageunau (for the sculpted part) and Matthias Grünewald for the painted panels. The polypthic dates back to the early 1500's and was made for the wealthy Antonite order. Its seven panels of lime wood and ten sculptures illustrate several episodes from the lives of Christ and Saint Anthony the Hermit, partron saint of the Community. As presented today, the altarpiece is incomplete as the sculpted structure that crowned the work was lost during the French Revolution.

Admire the altarpiece in its different positions that will be explained by your personal expert guide of the museum. Closed, the altarpiece displays a terrifying Crucifixion, on the first opening reveals luminous panels of the Annunciation, the Concert of Angels, the Nativity and the Resurrection. The second opening of the Altarpiece, that is when it is fully opened, reveals a majestic sculpture of Saint Anthony sitting on throne. The Alterpiece has undergone a long restauration work and your guide will also explain all the secrets linked to these renovation works.