In the department of Haut-Rhin, Wittenheim is a town located south of Alsace, in the heart of Potash Basin, about 8 km from Mulhouse and 30 km from Basel.
The Potash Basin is a natural area which takes its name from mining potash initiated in the early twentieth century. Wittenheim therefore is an old mining town.
Wittenheim is divided into four neighborhoods: downtown, the Fernand Anna neighborhood, the Young-Bois district and the St. Barbara area. A third of the city west side is occupied by the forest of Nonnenbruch. The urban morphology Wittenheim is also singular. The Mittelfeld, a 90 hectare field, in the center of urban areas.
Mentioned for the first time in a manuscript in 829, it also attests to a Roman presence in Wittenheim, thanks to the discovery of an important Roman villa during the construction of housing estates in 1978. Over the centuries, people constantly increases. In 1958 Wittenheim even became chief town of Canton, which helps to radiate in the mining area.
Labeled City Fleurie (Flower 2) and Town Nature, Wittenheim enjoys a pleasant setting where natural and cultural heritage coexist harmoniously.
The town of Wittenheim is sectored into four quarters with own characteristics.
Several monuments worth visiting in the city. Of these, the Church of St Barbara. This building built in 1928 is classified as historical monuments since 21 January 1993. Within the church, a chapel houses a statue of Saint Barbara, painted by Robert Gall of Colmar, a former student of Sacred Art Workshops. The latter has also worked at the church decorating with George Desvallières famous French painter.
More recent churches were also built, as Saint-Christophe church, built in 1958, in the district Fernand Anna or the Church of St. Mary Wittenheim center located place Thiers. It was built to replace the medieval church deemed "obsolete and inadequate." Destroyed during World War II, the new church was rebuilt in 1957.
The headframe of Theodore well is one of the last headframes present in the Potash Basin, as part of the preservation of mining memory.
City Wittenheim has a rare feature in France, that of owning one of the largest stretches of urban agriculture in France, Mittelfeld, which literally means in German "the middle of the field." It extends over 90 hectares, bordered by the different areas of the city.
The Dollerbaechlein is an autonomous arm of the low Doller, which irrigates the Potash Basin in Upper Alsace and especially the town of Wittenheim. This river was of great economic importance in the Middle Ages to the present day for irrigation, but also feed mills.
The motte du Rebberg Grosstueck is a mound which was planted with vines during the nineteenth century. The plateau and adjacent hill to the Rue du Bourg is the grip of the castle, once erected there. The site is now part of the public park Rabbargala, a wooded, peaceful place in the heart of the city for walks and relaxation.
Through marked trails, you can also explore the forest Nonnenbruch, primary forest of the western region of Mulhouse, in the heart of the plain of Ochsenfeld. These trails lead through the forest and reach the various municipalities. The massif has also been classified by decree protection forest of 25 May 2004 on an area of 1340 hectares, including the territory of Wittenheim.
In February, the OMSL in partnership with the City organized the carnival families, which many associations of the city involved.
In April, the Spring Photo is an event dedicated to amateur photographers, came to exhibit their photos and confront a jury of professional photographers and members of associations. Photo of the spring takes place over two days, within the space of Roger Zimmermann Wittenheim.
On June 21, the City and OMSL celebrate music around the town hall.
The Republic Day is a major event in Wittenheim, held on 13 July. During the evening you will have particularly pleased to attend a torchlight and a popular dance, but also to admire the traditional fireworks. Bars and restaurant on site.
The Italian Days are held annually in September in Wittenheim. Italy is in the spotlight through a rich and varied program.
