The Unterlinden Museum, famous for its world-famous Isenheim altar, is well worth a visit. In the 13th century a nunnery was founded here under the name "Unter den Linden" ('sub tilia'). It developed into one of the most important monasteries in Alsace. It was not until the 19th century that it was transformed into a museum. It has an important collection of sculptures and paintings from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance and houses the masterpiece of Christian occidental art: the Isenheim Altar (1512 - 1516) created by Grünewald, a master of late Gothic. Its special feature is its construction. Painted wings frame the central altar shrine consisting of carved sculptures. The museum houses works of art and folk art: ceramics, pewter, artistic and goldsmith work and furniture. Photography is allowed. Here you can see a small selection of the works on display:
The child is wrapped in a tattered diaper. It is the loincloth with which Christ is depicted on the cross.
The temptation (7 deadly sins) or the sufferings of St. Anthony (left) Visit of St. Anthony to the hermit Paul (right)
Lucas Cranach
12th century
