Uhlwiller: Cultural History and Municipal Forest

For a stay in Uhlwiller, cultural history and nature offer distinct themes. Historical points of interest include churches, the Musée du Pain, burial mounds and the Roman bridge; the municipal forest offers a separate focus on soils and tree species. If you are looking for a hotel in Uhlwiller, you can start planning your trip by considering these interests. The details range from a neo-Gothic church and a historic organ to a museum that traces the journey from field to bread.

Churches and their history

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style in 1877. A carved stone slab dated 1535 is visible at the entrance. The church’s organ was built by Théodore and Auguste Stiehr in 1878. The building thus brings together an older stone detail and the architectural and musical history of the late 19th century.

In Niederaltdorf, the church was rebuilt in 1617 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas. Its distinctive bell tower is built using half-timbering. Compared with the Neo-Gothic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, it represents a different historical period and architectural style. Those interested in religious architecture will find more than just the history of a single building here: several clearly distinct features, including reconstruction, dedication, a bell tower and an organ.

From grain to bread

The Musée du Pain opened in 1995 around Antoine Grussenmeyer’s historic threshing machine. It shows the process from working the land and harvesting grain to the finished bread. The focus is therefore not only on the end product, but also on the agricultural steps that come before it. The museum is housed in two buildings: a former residence and a coach house. The threshing machine, the production process and the two types of building offer different historical and thematic points of interest.

The published visiting schedule lists the period from April 1 to November 1, on the first and third Sundays of each month from 3 to 6 p.m.; group visits and school visits are possible by arrangement. Check the visiting schedule before your trip.

Archaeological evidence and historical connections

The Roman bridge, also known as “Willerbruck,” is a Roman-era monument on the boundary between the municipal territories of Uhlwiller, Huttendorf and Dauendorf. It lies in a field on the outskirts of Niederaltdorf, 500 meters from the plot known as “Auf der Burgis.” It was restored in 2010. The burial mounds of Uhlwiller are considered Celtic remains dating from before the Roman conquest of Gaul. In terms of chronology, the Celtic attribution of the burial mounds and the bridge’s classification as Roman-era features sit alongside one another. The Roman road connected Schwindratzheim with Mertzwiller, providing another historical link between two places.

The municipal forest and its soils

Uhlwiller’s municipal forest covers 185 hectares. Scots pine grow mainly on sandy soils, while oaks, beech and hornbeam grow on clay soils. The tree species therefore vary according to soil type: pines dominate the sandy areas, while the three broadleaf species grow on clay soils. This gives the forest a tangible connection to nature that sets it apart from the churches, the history of bread and the archaeological evidence. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether you would prefer to focus on architectural and cultural history, the development of breadmaking, or the forest landscapes described here.

Discover more destinations: Villé, Stundwiller, Innenheim, Niedersteinbach, Scherwiller, Ohlungen, Hunspach, Saverne

To the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.