Collegiate Church of Saint Martin of Colmar

The tower of the Collégiale Saint-Martin is the striking south-facing bell tower with the onion dome that defines the silhouette of Colmar. The church was originally intended to have two towers, but the planned north tower was never built; only the south tower was completed.

The current tower is a massive, square Gothic bell tower dating from the 13th–14th century and integrated into the westwork of the church.

The spire and the wooden roof structure of the tower went up in flames during a major city fire on May 23, 1572.

In 1575, the tower received its current Renaissance “lanternon à bulbe,” the onion-shaped dome with a small lantern on top; this makes the church instantly recognizable in the skyline.

The total height of the tower/bell spire is approximately 71 meters (approximately 233 feet).

In the tower hangs a carillon/bell frame with eight ringing bells, plus a smaller bell in the lantern at the top.

Pascal Brackman