The attacks on Albania’s religious communities (Sunni and Bektashi Muslims, Catholic and Orthodox Christians) by the Communist regime led to the destruction and desecration of many places of worship, meaning that the small mosque in the south-eastern corner of Skanderbeg Square is a particularly precious jewel. Built in the eighteenth century, its painted walls both internal and external feature trees, waterfalls and cityscapes which are rare...

It seems unbelievable that sleepy Voskopoja was once the largest city in the Balkans – bigger even than Athens – or that it had the only printing press in the region outside Istanbul. Seven churches remain as a legacy from that eighteenth century heyday and although they have intricate frescoes, it is not always easy to gain access to them....

This lovely Gothic church is worthy of a visit simply for its architecture and stained-glass windows, but the masterpiece inside is the real draw. German artist Martin Schongauer’s La Vierge au Buisson de Roses (Virgin in the Rose Bush) was painted in 1473 and shows the Madonna, wearing a red robe, holding her infant son in a cluster of colorful...

Art and history enthusiasts will want to schedule plenty of time for this important Protestant church. It was named Saint-Pierre-le-Jeune (Young) because, at the time of the naming, Strasbourg already had churches using Sainte Pierre. The oldest part of this structure is the crypt and remains of a small 7th-century church on the lower level. The main building of this...

Dominican clergy started this church in 1283, but the building has been renovated several times. In the early 18th century the Gothic structure took on a Baroque style, and today your attention will be drawn to the church’s beautiful portals and stained-glass windows. The church is a bit bare and doesn’t have a bell, but the carved doors and stained-glass windows are beautiful. Inside,...

Just north of Sélestat, this little village is home to one of the most beautiful Baroque churches in France, Abbey Church of St. Mauritius   The former Benedictine abbey was built in 1727, and the outside is charmingly plain, except for the onion-shaped domes on top of the twin towers. Step inside for a surprise. The bright and white interior is splashed...

La Grande Île is the historic center of Strasbourg and the most interesting part of the city. This stretch of land is surrounded by branches of the Île River and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, due to its well-preserved medieval structures. Allow plenty of time to stroll along the cobblestone streets, visit the centuries-old buildings, and admire the...

This attractive town sits below the southern Vosges Mountains, surrounded by terraced Grand Cru vineyards, about 25m/40 km southwest of Colmar. Walk along pedestrian-only streets and admire the 16th-century town hall and other ancient buildings surrounding Place Jeanne d’Arc (Joan of Arc Square). Places to visit The artistic abbots of Murbach built much of Guebwiller during the 13th and 14th...

This lovely little place is an honored Flower Village (Village Fleurie), as well as one of the most beautiful towns in France (Plus Beaux Villages). You need only walk the streets to understand why. Flowers are growing everywhere, and the historic steep-roofed houses, town hall, and old fountains are well preserved. The town’s prime attraction is the 14th-century Church of Saint Jacques le...

Reisling wine grapes grow in the nearby vineyards, and prestigious Bugatti automobiles are made in the factory just outside town. If you need more reason to visit, consider the Porte des Forgerons that you pass under to get into the village. The former fortification gate is supported by a tower from the 14th century that holds a bell from 1412....

A lot of legend and mystery surround this historic landmark 2,500f/761m up into the Vosges Mountains. A stone-block wall sits on the summit, probably a pagan ruin dating back to Celtic times. But, most visitors come to see the restored convent, which contains portions of Roman structures and tombs dating back to the 9th century. The chapel holds the coffin...

The original 12th-century church that once stood on this spot in the city’s center was demolished in the 1800s. The edifice that now stands majestically on Place de la Réunion, and is sometimes called The Cathedral of Mulhouse, is a Protestant church designed by J. B. Schacre and built between 1858 and 1868. The spectacular stained-glass windows are from the...

Located directly across from the Notre-Dame Cathedrale in several old houses, this museum holds art, stained glass, and sculpture from the Middle Ages. Many of the pieces in the series of rooms and gardens are the originals that were salvaged from the Cathedrale during the French Revolution. Allow about an hour to zip through and stop at anything that catches your...

A statue of Sainte Odile, the patron saint of Alsace, stands above a fountain in the town center, which is lined with historic buildings in a mix of delightful styles. The town hall is the perfect blending of architectural modes, with the earliest construction from around 1370, and extensions added up to 1848. Notice the lovely oriel window that juts...

Palais de Rohan is a lovely baroque building constructed between 1732 and 1742, which now houses three important museums. It’s worthwhile to take a high-speed look about. History buffs and art fans will want to linger in each museum on individual floors. The first floor houses the exquisite apartments of the Cardinal de Rohan and the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, ...

Nineteen towns with more than 120 well-preserved Romanesque sites are linked along a course known as Route Romane d’Alsace. Some of the towns also are on other mapped routes, such as the Wine Road or Crest Road. Each year, the Route Romane Festival follows the path of ancient pilgrims through Alsace. The festivities include musical programs held inside the massive walls...

This little village south of Colmar is known for its excellent vineyards, which benefit from the shelter of the Vosges Mountains to the west. Among its interesting tourist sites is the Witches’ Tower, which was utilized up until the 18th century to incarcerate women accused of witchcraft. Find this designated historical monument on Place de la République. Other historical old structures...

Surprisingly, this huge church has never been a cathedral, but locals refer to it as Colmar Cathédrale and it stands on a square named Place de la Cathédrale . The beautiful 13th-century red-and-gold sandstone building was badly damaged during the French Revolution, but it has been restored and well-preserved. Excavations during the 1980s revealed that the church as built on the foundations...

Sélestat is an ideal base for visiting all of Alsace, including nearby villages and vineyards on the Wine Road. The main attraction here is the Bibliothèque Humaniste, a museum-library that is currently under renovation. Check back in early 2018 for details on the reopening. The library holds more than 500 ancient manuscripts that date back to 1507. You can walk...