Updated with Christmas 2013 info
The fir has long been the symbol of Christmas in Christian homes. A well-established tradition in Alsace for over 5 centuries, the Christmas tree would have crossed the blue line of the Vosges mountains to conquer French families only after the 1870s. At the heart of Alsace and the Rhine valley, the beautiful town of Sélestat retains in its Humanist Library the oldest written mention of the now famous Christmas Tree (1521). Sélestat displays every year in December, a beautiful exhibition dedicated to its fetish tree.
The Christmas tree, a tree back in time …
Long before Christianity, at the time of our ancestors the Celts, people were looking forward to the end of the winter, the cold, the long dark nights and leafless trees. The fir, evergreen tree with its evergreen needles, mistletoe and holly plants were venerated. One celebrated the winter solstice marking the longest night but also announcing the longer days that would follow. The Romans also decorated their houses with green boughs in honor of their god Janus, who gave his name to the month of January. In Riga, in the Baltic countries, they keep a written record dating back to the year 1510, about a decorated tree burned on the occasion of New Year.
Presumably this old Celtic custom was perpetuated by Christians, especially in the Rhineland. Christians will put firs in front of churches. These trees will make up the “mysteries” played in winter. At a time when those who could read and write were few, teaching the most important moments in the Bible in the way of a small theater piece was certainly an effective way to spread knowledge. It seems that one of the most popular themes has been the story of Adam and Eve. In this winter season, the apple tree had long lost its leaves. The fir, king of winter par excellence, perfectly played the role the apple failed to do. Red apples, symbol of temptation were hung on the branches of the tree. Later large white hosts were added. Then symbols of temptation and redemption brought by Christ would be side by side in a perfect decor. This is probably how the Christmas tree, slowly, emerged in the Christian tradition of the Middle Ages.
1521, Sélestat, Alsace – the earliest mention of the Christmas tree
Humanist Library, Library Street, Sélestat
In the parish registers of the Cathedral of Strasbourg mention is made – in 1539 – of a Christmas tree to celebrate Christmas. But it is in a manuscript of the town of Sélestat in Alsace – dating back to 1521 – that the oldest currently known reference to the Christmas tree can be found.
In Sélestat, the Christmas tree is clearly mentioned in a ledger which records an expense of 4 Schillings to pay rangers to oversee the Christmas trees in the municipal forests … and a fine for anyone cut the so-called Christmas firs!
Other documents from the 16th century indicate that punishment will be inflicted on whoever will be caught cutting down Christmas trees (deliberation by the magistrates of the city of Sélestat dated December 17, 1555) and even a description on how to decorate Christmas trees in the city of Sélestat (Balthasar Beck, butler and master of ceremonies, 1600).
We can reasonably assume that if in 1521 already these young firs were so valuable and much sought at it is that the custom of the Christmas tree was already well-established for a long time!
The Humanist Library in Sélestat retains nearly 70,000 documents. Books, maps, prints and even coins, including 460 ancient and modern manuscripts and 550 incunabula (books printed during the second half of the fifteenth century). The library of the Latin school, founded in 1452 can be considered the oldest public library in Alsace. It includes the private library of the humanist Beatus Rhenanus (1485-1547), registered in the Memory of the World by UNESCO in 2011.
The manuscript referring to the Christmas tree is presented at the Humanist Library in Sélestat from Saturday 23 November 2013 to Sunday, January 5, 2014
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 12pm and from 14h to 18h
Saturdays from 9h to 12h and from 14h to 17h. Sundays from 14h to 17h
Warning: exhibition is closed to the public: on 24, 25, 26, 31 December and 1st of January
Free access to the exhibition. Small entry fee for the Library. Information 03 88 58 07 20
Guided tours of the Library in English possible after prior booking (well ahead). Approx EUR 75 per party.
Saint Georges Church and Crypt
Between myth, legend and childhood memories, the Christmas tree is for most of us the symbol of a holiday that brings together family young and old.
Decorating the Christmas tree has evolved over the history of Alsace. The City of Sélestat reconstructed the most significant steps in the evolution of the decoration of the Christmas tree. With one decorated fir tree for each striking period, they are suspended in the nave of the church of Saint George. From the year 1521 to the present day, they are pretty good evidence of the history of Alsace. I would also stress that they are highlighted by beautiful lighting and clear information displayed in French, English and German.
If the tradition of the Christmas tree seems well established since the 1700s in the valley of the Rhine and Germany, the Christmas tree has crossed the blue line of the Vosges to go to the conquest of families in France as from 1871, with emigrants from Alsace and Lorraine who left the area newly annexed by Germany of Bismarck.
Some years before, in 1858, the glassblowers of Meisenthal in the Northern Vosges, had “invented” the Christmas bauble. Following a particularly bad fall season without apples, they hung on the Christmas tree the glass baubles they had made for a completely different use (optical glasses).
The Centre International d’Art Verrier of Meisenthal presents an exhibition of the most beautiful parts of their collection in the crypt of the church of St. George (usually closed to the public).
You also can buy Christmas baubles of Meisenthal at the vault of Sainte-Barbe, Victory Square, in the old city of Selestat.
Saturday 23 November 2013 to Sunday, January 5, 2014
Open Monday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00 (outside religious offices)
Access to the crypt for disabled visitors by the head of the church
Free access
Christmas Firs along the streets of Sélestat
Firs straight down from the locals forests, pines in cloth of lights, fir and contemporary symbolic …
In Sélestat, the Christmas tree is found everywhere and in many clothes …
The Garden of the Christmas Tree
Court of the “Sisters of Niederbronn” – Hotel Saint-Lô / 7 Place du Marché aux Choux
At twilight the tree in his garden sparkles …
The Christmas tree had to have his garden … Sélestat natural forest temporary space where the visitor will discover several essences, evergreens and conifers at once, in a setting with natural colors, embellished and highlighted in the fall of night.
Saturday 23 November 2013 to Sunday, January 5, 2014
7 place du Marché aux Choux
Open every day from 9h to 19h except 24, 25, 26, 31 December and 1 January 14h-19h
Access and free visits
Links
Guided tours with Daniel Ehret. Daniel Ehret is a guide approved by the
Ministries of Tourism and Culture and well known in Alsace for its tours and publications. Daniel Ehret organizes regular visits to Colmar, Eguisheim, Hunawihr, Kaysersberg, Colmar, Riquewihr and Sélestat.
The Humanist Library in Sélestat
Holiday accommodation
Our holiday apartment the MOUNTAIN HIKER, luxury and charm for 2/3 people in La Vancelle, is only a few kilometers from Sélestat.
Our 14 holiday apartments at the Remparts Riquewihr, 15 minutes by car from Sélestat. From the small studio for 2 people to the large luxury apartment for 6.
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