Eguisheim Old Town, Medieval pedestrian streets in Eguisheim, France.
Eguisheim Old Town is a medieval settlement organized in three concentric rings of cobblestone streets circling a castle at its center. Half-timbered houses with painted facades line the narrow lanes, creating an intact grid of the original street layout.
The castle was founded in the 8th century and the town grew outward in rings around this central fortress. This medieval pattern remained stable through the centuries and influenced how the region developed.
The layout reveals how medieval communities organized themselves around defense and commerce. Walking through the rings, you see how locals adapted their homes and streets to daily life over centuries.
The streets are narrow and walkable on foot, but sturdy shoes are helpful on uneven cobblestones. Parking areas are located at the village edges, making it easy to reach the center by walking.
The three rings of the town represent different defensive phases, with gate remains still visible at two locations showing traces of the original walls. These physical traces reveal how the town expanded step by step to protect more residents.
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