Stosswihr

Population: 1,425 (source INSEE 2006)

Surface area: 2640 ha

Stosswihr is one of the oldest villages in the Munster Valley. Legend has it that Scottish or Irish monks settled in the Schweinsbache area in 634. Around 660, they founded Saint Grégoire Abbey at the confluence of the two Fecht rivers. Severely damaged during the First World War, the village had to be almost entirely rebuilt after the armistice.

Presentation

Stosswihr is one of the oldest villages in the Munster Valley. Legend has it that Scottish or Irish monks settled in the Schweinsbache area in 634. They built their first abbey church and a monastery, before founding the Abbey of Saint Grégoire around 660, at the confluence of the two Fecht rivers. In 783, the village was known as Stozzovilare, then Scotenwilre in 817. The part called Ampfersbach only appeared in the 13th century.

From 1287 to the French Revolution, the village was part of the Communauté du Val et de la Ville de Munster. In 1543, the Lutheran Reformation was adopted by the people of Stosswihr. Severely damaged during the First World War, the village had to be almost entirely rebuilt after the armistice.

What to see - What to do

Oil mill

The oldest trace of the oil mill dates back to 1727. It was destroyed during the 1914-1918 war, then rebuilt in 1919. Between the two world wars, walnuts were pressed to supply grocery stores in the Munster valley. Its 1920 paddlewheel is powered by water from the Petite Fecht via a bypass canal. Further information at www.celibre.ovh/moulin.html or moulin-de-stosswihr@caramail.fr

Schweinsbach chapel

The Schweinsbach chapel, at 82 rue Saegmatt, stands on the site of the former church of the same name, which disappeared around 1820. Blessed on October 25, 1891, it was severely damaged during the 1st World War. It was completely restored and reopened in 1923.

The Protestant church

The Protestant church stands in the Kilbel part of the village, probably named after Kirchbühl, the church hill. It was inaugurated on August 1, 1858, but was almost completely destroyed in February and March 1915. The church was rebuilt and rededicated on August 8, 1926.

The Catholic church

Inaugurated on April 25, 1869, the Marie-auxiliatrice Catholic church was destroyed by the German offensive of 1915. After the war, a temporary church was built, and the church was rebuilt and blessed on October 31, 1926. Only the statue of the Virgin Mary, erected in 1888 on the square in front of the church, has survived the turmoil of conflict intact.

The watchtower

The watchtower overhanging La Moraine?s boundary wall (at the bottom of the Ampfersbach valley), comes from the old fortifications of Strasbourg, erected by Vauban after 1681. It was acquired by the owner of the house when these fortifications were dismantled after the 1870 war.

The Town Hall

The Town Hall dates from the reconstruction period following the end of the 1914-1918 hostilities. It was inaugurated in 1923.

Hiking

The Club Vosgien organizes hikes from the town hall to the Rebberg, Schupferen, Schantzwasen and Lac Vert.
Numerous hikes also start at the bottom of the cascades to the Frankental, the Hohneck, the Gaschney, the Stoltz Ablass waterfalls and bridges, the rock path, the peat bog and the cave where King Dagobert, pursued by enemies, took refuge and which bears his name.

For the tramway trail, departure from the cascades parking lot (former tramway line between Stosswihr and La Schlucht).

Office de tourisme de la vallée de Munster