Isenheim

Isenheim is a commune in the Haut-Rhin department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Located in the historical region of Alsace, it lies northwest of Colmar. The settlement developed around the medieval Monastery of Saint Anthony, a religious and charitable complex that played a central role in the town’s early identity.

Historically, the monastery served as both a spiritual center and a hospital. In the early 16th century, the Isenheim Altarpiece, a renowned work by Matthias Grünewald, was commissioned for the monastery church and remains one of the period’s most celebrated northern European masterpieces. The area was part of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, came under French control in 1648, and was later part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 before returning to France after World War II.

The Isenheim Altarpiece, completed around 1510–1515, is a polyptych famed for its intense realism and complex iconography, including scenes of the crucifixion and themes of healing. Although the full original work is now housed in the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar, it continues to be closely associated with Isenheim’s historical heritage.

Today, Isenheim is a small rural community with timber-framed houses and surrounding agricultural land. Its economy centers on farming and small local businesses, while heritage tourism related to the monastery’s history and the altarpiece contributes to the town’s cultural profile. The commune remains connected to the wider Alsace region via regional roads linking it to Colmar and nearby towns.