In the heart of Bennwihr, where history stretches back to Neolithic times, a peculiar spectacle presents itself. The Monument of Loyalty, a survivor of World War II, stands steadfast, while the church of Saints Peter and Paul, its neighbor adjacent to Place de la Mairie, remains untouched. A contemporary stained-glass window, the work of Paul Martineau in the 1960s, illuminates the southern front of the church with a riot of colors. The monument, however, remains a mystery - who built it, and is there a hidden reason for its endurance amidst the carnage? The artist behind the Monument of Loyalty remains unknown, but the monument serves as a testament to the unwavering bond between Alsace, Lorraine, and France from 1870 to 1918, embodied by two women in traditional attire, mere remnants of a bygone era. Is there more to this curious monument than meets the eye?
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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