Sanctuary of Mont Saint-Odile, Historic monastery near Ottrott, France
Kloster Hohenburg is a historic monastery on the Odilienberg hill in the Vosges Mountains, near Ottrott in Alsace, France. It sits at around 2,500 ft (763 m) above sea level and includes a church, several chapels, a cloister, and open terraces with views toward the Rhine plain and the Black Forest.
The monastery was founded around 690 by Odilia, daughter of a local duke, who later became the patron saint of Alsace. Over the centuries it changed hands between religious orders, suffered repeated fires and wars, and had its current church consecrated in 1692.
The name of this monastery is tied to Saint Odile, whose image appears throughout the chapels and carved stone details inside. Pilgrims still come to drink from the spring below the buildings, which local tradition says can heal eye problems.
The site sits on a hilltop and can only be reached by hiking trails or a winding road, so sturdy footwear is a good idea. The terraces and outdoor areas are generally open, but some of the chapels may be closed at certain times.
In the 18th century, Cistercian monks built a sundial on the grounds that shows not only local solar time but also the time systems used in ancient Babylonia and Italy. The base of the clock carries a Latin inscription about the passing of time and human mortality.
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