So I think we are seeing the post-war miracle of local craftsmanship spurred by memories of past glory, Marshall Plan money, and european socialist sentiment. I’m in favor of all of those things.
Oldster,
You should visit Ypres in Belgium.
The town was annihilated in WW1 but was rebuilt in the original architectural style. Everything looks a little too pristine and well-maintained but bears a passable resemblance to a medieval market town considering no building is older than 1920.
Mike G–I haven’t been to Ypres but I’ve been to other parts of Yurp. Pretty much the same story everywhere. Half-timbered houses that are more than 100 years old are extremely, extremely rare. Glorious medieval market-squares are mostly reconstructions, everywhere you go. (Yes, with exceptions, which I’m sure the rest of you will list below).
I don’t object–I think its some of the best money that the US and Europe ever spent. Ditto for the National Parks and the CCC construction that was done in them–if only we could build more Timberline Lodges, more Blueridge Trails, etc.
Eli, that’s amazing footage. But which parts are in Colmar? The scenes around the church are from Strasbourg. Then they switch to a square which the announcer says is “at Sauvergne”?? But looking at the map I think it must be Saverne, 30km nw of Strasbourg?
So I’m not sure if the footage shows Colmar.
It does show Rowan Atkinson, cheekily popping in at 1:31. And who flinches more when kissed by DeGaulle, the four-star US general, or the Alsatian girl at the very start of the reel?
The US General is a 3-star and he is Alexander ‘Sandy’ Patch, Commander of the US 7th Army. The US 7th and French 1st together formed the 6th Army Group.
If you visit Colmar you should try and visit Riquewihr. A truly beautiful wine village to the North and West. It has the only Christmas market I have ever visited where the bakers give out free samples of some very delicious Christmas cookies. The story goes that the Germans stopped and fought the US in villages on either side – but retreated through Riquewihr and so it was untouched by the bombardment. Very nice wine, also, cheers!
Having visited Colmar several times in the 1970 before it got prettified, there were lots and lots of really ancient looking old houses which certainly did not look like they had been rebuilt after WWII. A lot of the smaller towns to the west certainly did.
{ 14 comments }
Bill Benzon 11.01.15 at 10:50 am
Love it!
oldster 11.01.15 at 1:57 pm
I assume that everything in that photo was manufactured post-WWII? The “Colmar Pocket” was hit pretty hard, and even before that (french wiki tells me) “Le 18 septembre 1944, un train de munitions explose à la gare de marchandises, provoquant des dégâts dans un rayon d’un kilomètre”.
So I think we are seeing the post-war miracle of local craftsmanship spurred by memories of past glory, Marshall Plan money, and european socialist sentiment. I’m in favor of all of those things.
Barry 11.01.15 at 5:27 pm
I like that – decorative, but simply done.
Mike G 11.01.15 at 6:09 pm
Oldster,
You should visit Ypres in Belgium.
The town was annihilated in WW1 but was rebuilt in the original architectural style. Everything looks a little too pristine and well-maintained but bears a passable resemblance to a medieval market town considering no building is older than 1920.
oldster 11.01.15 at 8:03 pm
Mike G–I haven’t been to Ypres but I’ve been to other parts of Yurp. Pretty much the same story everywhere. Half-timbered houses that are more than 100 years old are extremely, extremely rare. Glorious medieval market-squares are mostly reconstructions, everywhere you go. (Yes, with exceptions, which I’m sure the rest of you will list below).
I don’t object–I think its some of the best money that the US and Europe ever spent. Ditto for the National Parks and the CCC construction that was done in them–if only we could build more Timberline Lodges, more Blueridge Trails, etc.
Mdc 11.01.15 at 8:04 pm
Parabola!
Donald A. Coffin 11.01.15 at 10:22 pm
Amazing…a beautiful picture and, again, the sensitivity to see these things to begin with.
Eli Rabett 11.02.15 at 12:05 am
The damage was not so bad as can be seen in this newsreel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOW7_nRMkbI
Recalling early wanders through the back street, no, the houses did not appear to have been rebuilt after WWII.
oldster 11.02.15 at 2:32 am
Eli, that’s amazing footage. But which parts are in Colmar? The scenes around the church are from Strasbourg. Then they switch to a square which the announcer says is “at Sauvergne”?? But looking at the map I think it must be Saverne, 30km nw of Strasbourg?
So I’m not sure if the footage shows Colmar.
It does show Rowan Atkinson, cheekily popping in at 1:31. And who flinches more when kissed by DeGaulle, the four-star US general, or the Alsatian girl at the very start of the reel?
I.G.I. 11.02.15 at 6:22 pm
What is the point of “photoblogging” when the participants in the thread cannot upload their own images and get into image dialogue with the OP?
Dan 11.02.15 at 7:15 pm
The US General is a 3-star and he is Alexander ‘Sandy’ Patch, Commander of the US 7th Army. The US 7th and French 1st together formed the 6th Army Group.
YoursInTheSnow 11.02.15 at 8:26 pm
If you visit Colmar you should try and visit Riquewihr. A truly beautiful wine village to the North and West. It has the only Christmas market I have ever visited where the bakers give out free samples of some very delicious Christmas cookies. The story goes that the Germans stopped and fought the US in villages on either side – but retreated through Riquewihr and so it was untouched by the bombardment. Very nice wine, also, cheers!
Chris Bertram 11.03.15 at 1:55 pm
I have lots of pictures of Riquewihr, though sadly the several cases of Riesling and Gewurztraminer have now been consumed.
Eli Rabett 11.04.15 at 1:38 pm
Having visited Colmar several times in the 1970 before it got prettified, there were lots and lots of really ancient looking old houses which certainly did not look like they had been rebuilt after WWII. A lot of the smaller towns to the west certainly did.
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