Wissembourg, Bas Rhin, Alsace

Wissembourg, sometimes called a Gateway to France, due to its location a couple kilometers from the German border (the nearest German town is Schweighoffen in Bad Bergzabern Municipality) is a lovely historic village, off the typical tourist route. Historically, it was comprised of craftspeople and winegrowers.

This is the capitol of Outre-Forets or the Outer Forest. Situated in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains, Wissembourg is one of the gateways into Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park. The Forest of Hagenau, to the south provided a natural barrier, which helped to preserve a unique cultural identity. Even the dialect spoken here is unusual. It is Frankish in origin, not Germanic as is the rest of Alsace. Today, there are many defenders of the traditional particularities of the area as can be seen at any of the lively festivals that take place throughout the year.

Though Wissembourg is largely a Roman Catholic community, the Kiebers, who were Lutheran, would have affiliated with St. John’s Lutheran Church (Église St. Jean or Johanniskirche in German).

The first battle of the Franco-Prussian War was fought in Wissembourg on 4 Aug 1870! Aptly called The Battle of Wissembourg, the French were greatly outnumbered and defeated by Germany’s Crown Prince Frederick’s Chief of Staff, General Leonard Graf von Blumenthal’s troops. The Prussian army then moved into France.The French General, Abel Douay, was killed in combat and  there is a large tomb for him and many other soldiers at the Geisberg cemetery.