The Puzzling Monument of Loyalty in Bennwihr: What Keeps It Upright Amidst

The Puzzling Monument of Loyalty in Bennwihr: What Keeps It Upright Amidst

In the heart of Bennwihr, a quaint village with roots in the Neolithic era, there stands an unusual sight. The Monument of Loyalty, a remnant of World War II, remains undamaged, while the church of Saints Peter and Paul, nestled on Place de la Mairie, remains unscathed. The church's modern stained-glass window, the work of Paul Martineau around 1960, casts a kaleidoscope of hues on its southern facade. But what of the monument? Who crafted it and what secrets does it hide, still standing while everything around it crumbled? The artist of the Monument of Loyalty remains a mystery, but the monument bears testament to the unshakable bond between Alsace, Lorraine, and France from 1870 to 1918, symbolized by two women in traditional garb, mere shadows of the past in a ravaged epoch.

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

Discuss this with the author and others

No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.