Wine cellar of the Hôpital civil, Strasbourg, Historical wine cellar at Civil Hospital in Strasbourg, France
The wine cellar of Hôpital civil is a large vaulted room beneath the hospital filled with large oak barrels and several ancient casks spanning different centuries. The space holds a collection of regional wines that are maintained by wine specialists.
The cellar began in 1395 when the hospital was founded and needed storage for wine donations from patients and donors who paid for care. The space expanded over centuries as the hospital grew and the collection of wines increased.
The cellar shows how wine was woven into hospital life and local commerce in medieval Strasbourg. Visitors can sense how donations and gifts shaped the institution's survival and how regional producers supported its work.
The cellar is located beneath the Hôpital civil in central Strasbourg and can be visited with guided tours led by wine experts. It is wise to check ahead about available visiting times, as access is limited and depends on the hospital's schedule.
The cellar holds a barrel containing wine from 1472 that remained untouched for more than 500 years and was opened only during major historical moments. This single barrel was served during key events including Strasbourg's liberation.
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