Mommenheim: Local History and Nature

In Mommenheim, you can explore the town’s history from different perspectives: the Church of Saint-Maurice, the synagogue building, the Maison commune and the Grange dîmière. The landscape also shapes a stay: along the Zorn, you can enjoy a shady walk; between fields and forest, a cycling tour. You can make local history, outdoor activities or both the focus of your trip.

The church and local Jewish history

The Church of Saint-Maurice in Mommenheim was built by Schwarzach Abbey. Attached to the church was the Grange dîmière, a tithe barn used by the Catholic Church to store tithes. Its oldest parts are said to date from the 17th century; the Grange is considered Mommenheim’s oldest building. The two buildings thus served different purposes: the church as a place of worship and the barn as storage for tithes.

The present-day synagogue building replaced an earlier synagogue in 1904. Its reconstruction, led by architects Falk and Wolf, also dates to that year. After a fire in 1940 and serious damage between 1940 and 1945, the building was renovated in 1954. Since 1999, the synagogue has served as a sports and cultural centre. If you plan a visit, check locally in advance for current access arrangements.

The Jewish community contributed to the village’s trade and culture. The Maison commune at 7 rue des Juifs dates from the 18th century and was a half-timbered complex. The complex originally included a Jewish bakery that offered kosher products. At the end of the 20th century, the ritual bath was still visible in the cellar. Trade, architectural history and religious practice are thus among the different facets of local history.

A comparison of dates places the buildings in different periods: the oldest parts of the Grange dîmière are said to date from the 17th century, and the Maison commune from the 18th century. The synagogue’s history is shaped by its replacement in 1904, the fire and the damage between 1940 and 1945, and the renovation in 1954.

The farm complex and its uses

The courtyard of the Grange dîmière is open to the public. Today, a footpath and cycle path run through the former farm complex around the Grange. Covered spaces are planned for the three buildings, for a variety of uses: as a farm and village square, and as a cultural and community space. Terms of use may vary for individual events.

A walk along the Zorn and a cycling tour

Mommenheim lies among the bends of the Zorn. The river offers the chance to enjoy a shady walk, while the landscape between fields and forest is ideal for a cycling tour. South of Mommenheim, the landscape is rural and surrounded by tranquil greenery. This gives you a choice of different landscape experiences: the Zorn on a walk, fields and forest on a cycling tour, and the rural character of the south.

The Zorn is the focal point of a walk, while the route between fields and forest lends itself to a cycling tour. When choosing between the two activities, you can base your decision on the setting you prefer: riverside scenery on foot, or fields and forest by bike.

Discover more destinations: Schirmeck, Witternheim, Wingen-Sur-Moder, Itterswiller, Huttenheim, Solbach, Mutzig, Mothern

Go to the main travel overview: Bas-Rhin.