Presentation

Stosswihr is one of the eldest villages of the valley of Munster. According to the legend, in 634, Scottish monks had settled in the place known as "Schweinsbache". They would have built the first church of the abbey and a monastery before founding the abbey itself in about year 660. In 783, the village is known as Stozzovilare and then Scotenwilre in 817. The part named Ampfersbach only appears in the 13th century.

From 1287 to the French Revolution, the village was part of the Community of the Valley of Munster. In 1543, the Lutheran reformation is adopted by the inhabitants of Stosswihr. The village had to be almost completely rebuilt after WW1.

What to do - to see

Oil mill

The first mention of the oil mill dates back to 1727. It was destroyed during WW1, and rebuilt in 1919. In-between the wars, it was used to press walnuts and supply the valley’s grocers. In 1920, the paddle wheel was run by the water of Petite Fecht, which was diverted. Guided tour on demand (40 Grand Rue; Ph.: +33 (0)3 89 77 24 92).

Schweinsbach Chapel

Schweinsbach Chapel, at 82 rue Saegmatt, stands in the place of the church it was named after, and that disappeared about 1820. It was blessed on October 25, 1891. Deeply damaged during WW1, it was completely restored to open again in 1923.

Protestant Church

The Protestant church stands in the part of the village named Kilbel, which must be coming from Kirchbühl, "the church hill". It was inaugurated on August 1st, 1858. After almost complete destruction in February-March 1915, it is rebuilt and inaugurated again on August 8th, 1926.

Catholic Church

Inaugurated on April 25th, 1869, the Catholic Church Marie-auxiliatrice is destroyed by the Germans in 1915. After the war, a temporary church is set up, and the rebuilt church is blessed on October 31st, 1926. The only piece that went through the battle is the statue of the Virgin that has been standing on the village main square since 1888.

The watchtower

The watchtower overhanging the wall of La Moraine (end of the Ampfersbach valley), comes from the former fortifications of Strasburg. It was built by Vauban after 1681, and bought by the owner of the house after the war of 1870.

City hall

 

The city hall dates back to the time of reconstruction, after WW1. It was inaugurated in 1923.

Hiking

Hiking trail by Club Vosgien start at the city hall to Rebberg, Schupferen, Schantzwasen and Lac vert.

Hiking trails strat at the cascades too, and go to Frankental, Hohneck, Gaschney, Stoltz Ablass waterfalls and bridge, sentier des roches, peat bog, and the cave where king Dagobert would have hidden while chased by enemies.

For the tramway path start at the cascades parking place (old tramway line between Munster, Stosswihr and Schlucht).