Zimmerbach: Church, Chapels and Wine

Zimmerbach combines sacred architecture and local history with wine tours and tastings. The Church of Saint-Georges, Sacré-Cœur, chapels and oratories each offer their own historical and religious points of interest. A scenic viewpoint and traces of former mining are also among the themes you can explore during a stay in the village.

Church and local history

The choir of the Church of Saint-Georges, Sacré-Cœur, preserves architectural elements from the 13th century; the nave was rebuilt in 1879. Next to the church stands a small former mortuary dating from 1619. The dates refer to different parts and functions: older elements in the choir, the rebuilding of the nave, and the former use of the neighboring building. The forecourt was redesigned in 2016 to improve access to the church. If current accessibility is important for your visit, check locally.

Zimmerbach was first mentioned in 1234: the village appears in a letter from Heinrich von Thun, Bishop of Basel. Zimmerbach developed as a settlement around a fortification built by the Austrians to protect their borders. An old religious book from 1514 mentions a hermitage called “Zimmerbächlein” dating to the 13th century. The year 1514 refers to the book; the hermitage is assigned to the 13th century. On May 21, 1842, the two parts of Zimmerbach were permanently united as one village. These dates shed light on different matters: the first mention of the village, a book’s reference to a hermitage, and the later union of the village’s two parts.

Chapels and oratories

The present-day Chapelle des Frères is a masonry chapel measuring 13 meters long and 7 meters wide. It remains a sacred place; Mass is celebrated there on May 1 and on the Feast of the Holy Cross. If you would like to plan your visit around one of these dates, confirm them locally in advance. The chapel’s dimensions and its continuing religious significance can thus be considered as two distinct aspects.

Other places of devotion differ in their dedication, design and history. The Oratoire ZEH is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. The Oratoire Saint Antoine features a cross with trefoil-shaped arms dating from 1734. The Oratoire Baffrey-Thorr dates from 1812 and contains a statue of Saint Thérèse. An oratory dedicated to Saint Odile was rebuilt in 1994 by the Zimmerbach section of the Club Vosgien de Turckheim, using mortared rubble stone. These sites offer different points of comparison: their dedications, the shape of the cross, the saint’s statue and the construction method.

Landscape and wine

The Circuit des oratoires offers an impressive view of Zimmerbach and the “Im Berg” vineyard; visibility may vary depending on conditions. Beside the oratory are spoil heaps from former mines dating from 1475. The mineralization consists of copper and iron. As a scenic viewpoint and a trace of earlier mining, these features complement the sacred buildings by offering different perspectives on the village.

Alphonse Meyer & Fils offers guided tours, cellar visits and wine tastings. Individual visitors can join guided tours; group tours are available by arrangement. Tastings are free for individuals and subject to a fee for groups. Groups should therefore take into account both arranging the tour and the tasting fee. As visitor options and availability may change, check your preferred format in advance.

Discover more destinations: Sainte-Croix-En-Plaine, Ranspach, Ferrette, Rombach-Le-Franc, Sigolsheim, Luttenbach-près-Munster, Zellenberg, Saint-Amarin.

Back to the regional travel overview: Haut-Rhin.