Chapelle du Bollenberg

The Bollenberg is a 363-metre-high hill made of Jura limestone and located between Rouffach, Orschwihr and Westhalten. Once a year during the night of August 14 to 15, it becomes the scene of a ritual that attracts many pilgrims from all over the region. The small Holy Cross Chapel, which can be reached via a short, steep, gravelly alleyway from the east of the village of Orschwihr, is illuminated with the famous "witch's fire". It is the conscripts, i.e. the new recruits from Orschwihr, who burn the witch's dummy at a spectacular bonfire.
During the year, this hill, which shelters a small protected natural area, is mainly frequented by hikers. A hotel-restaurant is located at the wine estate "Clos Sainte-Apolline" accessible from the east side of the hill from the D18. The Sainte-Croix chapel, more commonly known as the "witches' chapel", was once a popular place of pilgrimage. Innumerable legends surround this place where a "White Lady" is said to have also appeared. This is apparently an ancient place of worship.

DATAtourisme France