Balbronn
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Balbronn (; german: Ballbronn) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin
department Department may refer to: * Departmentalization, division of a larger organization into parts with specific responsibility Government and military *Department (administrative division), a geographical and administrative division within a country, ...
in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France. The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Balbronnais'' or ''Balbronnaises''.


Geography

Balbronn is located some 25 kilometres west of
Strasbourg Strasbourg (, , ; german: Straßburg ; gsw, label=Bas Rhin Alsatian, Strossburi , gsw, label=Haut Rhin Alsatian, Strossburig ) is the prefecture and largest city of the Grand Est region of eastern France and the official seat of the Eu ...
and 8 km south-west of Wasselonne. Access to the commune is by the D75 road from
Westhoffen Westhoffen (; german: Westhofen im Elsass; gsw-als, Westhofe) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department and Grand Est region of north-eastern France. History From 1236 Westhofen was a fief of the Holy Roman Empire to the Lords of Lichtenberg, ...
in the north which passes through the village and continues west through the commune then south-west to
Oberhaslach Oberhaslach is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in north-eastern France. Population See also * Niederhaslach, a neighbouring commune * Communes of the Bas-Rhin department The following is a list of the 514 communes of the ...
. The D275 goes from the village south-east to
Bergbieten Bergbieten () is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in northeastern France. Population See also *Communes of the Bas-Rhin department The following is a list of the 514 communes of the Bas-Rhin department of France. The ...
. The commune is mostly farmland but with large forests north of the D75 in the west of the commune.Google Maps
/ref> ''Le Schleithal'' river flows south through the forests in the west and continues south through the commune to join the Bruche at Dinsheim-sur-Bruche. The ''Niedermattgraben'' rises near the village and flows south-east to join the ''Kehlbach'' east of
Bergbieten Bergbieten () is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department in Grand Est in northeastern France. Population See also *Communes of the Bas-Rhin department The following is a list of the 514 communes of the Bas-Rhin department of France. The ...
.


Neighbouring communes and villages


History

In his chronicle, Hertzog describes Balbronn as a ''Staettlin'' (small town). The church is very old. Inside it is a headstone from 1574 containing the remains of Jean de Mittelhausen and his wife Barbe Hufel. In the forests in the west of Balbronn there was once a village called ''Elbersforst'' which was in a large clearing in the forest where there is now the Auberge d'Elemerforst. A plaque indicates that the place is the property of the Notre Dame works. Stones from the old village can still be seen above the restaurant patio. These are the old foundations of several buildings of what was formerly called Elbersforst. Since 2007 this medieval town has been the subject of archaeological excavations. Elbersforst was part of
Westhoffen Westhoffen (; german: Westhofen im Elsass; gsw-als, Westhofe) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department and Grand Est region of north-eastern France. History From 1236 Westhofen was a fief of the Holy Roman Empire to the Lords of Lichtenberg, ...
which depended on Marmourtier Abbey.


Heraldry


Administration

List of Successive
Mayors In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities ...


Demography

In 2017 the commune had 656 inhabitants.


Culture and heritage


Civil heritage

The commune has many buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments: *A Jewish House (1628) at 47-48 Rue Balbach *Farmhouses (14th-19th century) *A Chateau at Rue du Chateau (15th century) *The Town Hall/School at 63 Place de la Mairie (1897) *A Protestant School at 170 Place du Pasteur-Albert-Kiefer (1834) *A Merchant's House at 29 Rue des Tonneliers (19th century) *A Forester's House at Elmersforst (1755)


Religious heritage

The commune has several religious buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments: *A Synagogue (disused) at Rue des Femmes (1895) *A Protestant Presbytery 173 Rue du Fossé (1732). The Presbytery contains 2 communion ewers (18th century) which are registered as an historical object. *A Protestant Church at Place du Pasteur-Albert-Kiefer (12th century) *The Parish Church of Saint-Catherine at Rue de Westhoffen (20th century). The church contains many items that are registered as historical objects: **The Furniture in the Church **A Chalice with Paten and Spoon (19th century) **A Painting: Saint Catherine (19th century) **A Eucharistic Cabinet (1453) **A
Baptismal font A baptismal font is an article of church furniture used for baptism. Aspersion and affusion fonts The fonts of many Christian denominations are for baptisms using a non-immersive method, such as aspersion (sprinkling) or affusion (pouring). ...
(1687) **The main Altar (19th century) **3
Stained glass Stained glass is coloured glass as a material or works created from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant religious buildings. Although tradition ...
windows (1905) **A Monumental Cross (18th century) *The Interdenominational Cemetery at Rue de Westhoffen (1882) *The Church and Cemetery of Balbronn (12th century). The Cemetery contains a Cemetery Cross (19th century) which is registered as an historical object.Ministry of Culture, Palissy


Notable people linked to the commune

*Louis Albert Kiefer, pastor from 1873 to 1913, the date of his death, author of the book: ''Die geschichte Balbronn'', 1894.


See also

* Communes of the Bas-Rhin department


References


External links


Balbronn on the old National Geographic website

Regional Directorate of the Environment, Sustainable development, and Lodgings (DREAL) website

Balbronn official website

Balbronn on Géoportail
National Geographic Institute (IGN) website
''Balbronn'' on the 1750 Cassini Map
{{authority control Communes of Bas-Rhin