Presentation

In the origin, the village was made by gathering hamlets, like most of the villages of the valley. The first reference to Breitenbach dates back to the 13th century and the name seems to come from its location: on the way out of the small valley of “Breitenbach”, on the right side of Fecht river.

In 1287, the village becomes part of the community of the Valley and city of Munster, and remains in till 1847. The Lutheran reform happens in 1559 in the village.

In the 19th century, the village has a textile manufacture and a brewery. Later on, the main activity becomes the production of batteries. The village is severely damaged during WW1.

What to do – to see

The City hall

The city hall dates from 1838, and was almost completely destroyed during the 1915 fights. It is built again after the armistice in 1918. A mark on the frontage reminds that it was built while Jean Hummel was the President of the community of Mayors, which was disbanded in 1847.

The old chapel

Breitenbach shares its churches with Muhlbach-sur-Munster.

An old 18th century chapel is situated in Oberbreitenbach; the bells would ring to announce storms. The legend says that, once the bells rang to warn about a violent storm. The bell ringer got killed by a lightning and the bell got buried deeply. Long after that, the bell would be found and brought back to the chapel. The German army requisitioned if during WW1.

The German cemetery

On the war memorial located on the main place, you have signs leading to the German military cemetery (3529 soldiers dead during WW1 and 173 during WW2).

Espace Belle Époque

This village hall is housed by a former textile factory, and accommodates banquets, meetings, concerts, theatre plays…

Hiking

The Club Vosgien offers hiking trails starting from the war memorial, to Lameysberg, Petit-Ballon, Ried, Ilienkopf, Rothenbrunnen, etc.