Gunsbach

Population: 920 (source INSEE 2006)
Surface area: 618 ha

The village first appeared in 1278. The precise meaning of the name is unclear: the marshy brook or the brook of a man named Guno? In the 13th century, the village was an Empire property, dependent on Pflixbourg castle, then given in pledge to Lord Conrad Werner de Hattstatt in 1285. In 1434, Gunsbach was sold to the Ribeaupierre family, and remained their property until 1789.

The village is world-famous thanks to Dr. Albert Schweitzer, pastor, theologian, organist, musicologist and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952. His parents moved to the village when he was 6 months old. He left with his wife in 1913 to found the Lambaréné hospital in Gabon. His house, bought by the Association Internationale Albert Schweitzer, receives over 10,000 visitors a year from some fifty countries. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) is buried in Lambaréné, Gabon, along with his wife Hélène, née Bresslau (1879-1957). Several members of his family are buried in the Gunsbach cemetery, including his father Louis, his mother Adèle and his brother Paul.

WHAT TO SEE - WHAT TO DO

THE SIMULTANEUM CHURCH

This church has been attended by Catholics and Protestants since 1751. Since its construction, it has been enlarged and transformed several times. The organ, inaugurated in 1961, was completely renovated by Alfred Kern of Strasbourg, based on plans by Albert Schweitzer.

THE TOWN HALL, HOUSE WITH TURRET

Dating from 1570, Gunsbach's Town Hall, with the town's coat of arms on its facade, is a remarkable building. A house with turret, located at 1 rue de Munster, dates from 1599.

FORMER PRESBYTERY

At 3 rue Albert Schweitzer, the former Protestant presbytery, dating from the 19th century, was bequeathed to the parish by Adolphe Müller. Albert Schweitzer?s father, Louis, a pastor in Gunsbach, lived here with his family until his death in 1925.

ALBERT SCHWEITZER?S HOUSE

Albert Schweitzer had this house built, thanks to the Goethe Prize awarded to him by the city of Frankfurt. He moved in in 1929, and stayed here during his European visits. His house is now a museum dedicated to him (tel.: 03 89 77 31 42; open Tuesday to Saturday - July-August: open Sunday; 9h-11h30 / 14h-16h30; website: http://www.schweitzer.org)

AFRICAN MUSEUM

The museum of African objects, on the 1st floor of the town hall, is open in July and August (every day except public holidays). Emma Haussknecht, who died in 1956 and worked with Albert Schweitzer for many years, assembled a large and valuable collection of African art objects and utensils.

MONUMENT ALBERT SCHWEITZER

To reach the monument, take the path opposite the Schweitzer house. Albert Schweitzer liked to retreat to this spot, known as Kanzrain, to meditate and admire the beauty of nature. As he himself wrote in a letter to the sculptor of the monument: "For there I was the one who was busy thinking. There is my intellectual home, there I would like to remain in stone, and be visited...".

THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER TRAIL

This is a walking and meditation trail on the thought of Albert Schweitzer. Starting at the former presbytery, 3 rue Albert Schweitzer, you will be led past 16 explanatory panels along a 1km path.

THE WATER WALK

Departing from Rue du Stade, the water walk is a 4 km circuit with 13 stations, lasting around 2? hours. Accompanied by the music of the flowing waves, Gunsbach invites you to discover the history of its water, its union with the trees, the earth and mankind. Download the brochure. Also available from the Mairie and Munster Tourist Office.

DATAtourisme France