Sélestat is a small town between Strasbourg and Colmar which was a 15th Century centre of learning and Humanism. A priceless collection of 450 manuscripts, 550 incunabula and 2000 16th Century prints are housed in the ‘Biblioteque Humaniste’, which is situated between rue de l’Eglise and rue du sel. The Biblioteque Humaniste and the Vadrana in Switzerland are reputed to be the only such libraries in existence.
Sélestat has more than 1000 years of historical and architectural treasures, some publicly owned, others private. There is the Witches Tower that dates from the Middle Ages and the Tanners Quay where leather tanners worked. The 12th Century Church of St Foy was built by Benedictine monks who had arrived in the town in 1094. The town also boasts beautiful architecture, some of which is unique.
Sélestat is the site of the biennial contemporary art event, which was founded in 1984; its aims are to promote young Alsatian artists and is now open to the whole of Europe. The next event is in the year 2003.
For more tourist information and history, see Premier Pages (Wine Regions, Places of interest)