Discover Kappelen

These sites can be distinguished by specific details—from a chapel’s religious use and historic alterations to a pond designed for educational purposes.

Chapels and architectural history

The Saint-Wolfgang Chapel has stood between Kappelen and Stetten since the 13th century. Even today, it welcomes worshippers for Masses and processions. Its coffered ceiling consists of 21 panels, adding a specific architectural detail to its religious use. Its location, use and features therefore offer different points of reference if you are interested in religious buildings.

The former Saint-Michel Chapel was converted into a church in 1847 by extending the nave by nine metres. This figure makes the structural change tangible: the conversion involved an expansion of the church interior. The new Saint-Michel Church has a stained-glass window depicting Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation. Alongside the structural changes, a specific religious subject is thus also brought into focus. A local article from 2021 reports that the former Saint-Michel Church was deconsecrated in 1977 and that its nave has been used as a community hall ever since.

The former rectory is also part of Kappelen’s architectural history: it was built in 1746 to plans by Blaise von Runcz. This building adds another historic structure to the examples of ecclesiastical architecture, with its year of construction and architect clearly identified.

Mills and different dates

The Hintere Mühle remained in operation until 1958, following modernisations and the installation of electric motors. A notarial deed dated 27 July 1692 authorised the construction of the Niedere Mühle as a grain mill, with a water supply channel between Kappelen and Brinckheim. In these two mill histories, the dates refer to different events: 1692 marks the authorisation to build, while 1958 marks the end of the Hintere Mühle’s operation. This distinction helps put the dates in context without treating them as equivalent milestones in a single history.

Wetland and circular walk

The wetland network along the Wurmbach in Kappelen comprises four depressions and a pond designed for educational purposes. This adds an ecological project with clearly specified features to the topics of architectural history and former milling operations. If you do not want to limit your interests in the area to historic buildings, the wetland is another aspect of Kappelen to explore.

The Bartenheim–Kappelen circular walk passes through fields, along woodland edges and through village areas; it also runs through Kappelen. Its described route offers a different way to explore the area than the individual buildings: rather than focusing on architectural or usage history, it takes in a variety of landscapes and village sections.

Your choice of destination may therefore be guided by religious architecture, milling history or scenery. These different themes can help you choose Kappelen based on what interests you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Ottmarsheim, Mooslargue, Rodern, Goldbach-Altenbach, Sentheim, Ferrette, Blotzheim, Pfaffenheim

For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.