For almost a century, potash mining shaped Wittenheim’s development, landscape and identity. Its legacy can be seen in the headframe, memorial sites and buildings. There are also churches, woodland, promenades and opportunities for outdoor activities. Wittenheim therefore offers a variety of starting points for an exploration.
Mining history in buildings and memorial sites
The iron headframe structure at the Théodore Mine was built in 1957 and 1958. Since August 17, 1995, part of the Théodore Mine has been listed as a Monument historique. The Chevalement Théodore in the Sainte-Barbe district is one of Wittenheim’s last remaining reminders of the mining era.
Memorial sites also keep the memory of mining history alive. The Mémorial aux victimes d’accidents aux Mines de Wittenheim was inaugurated in 2012. The Mémorial des Mineurs consists of a monument depicting a miner and four pillars. The names of 827 people who had died in mining accidents were originally engraved on the pillars.
Churches and their different stories
Two construction campaigns stand out at the Sainte-Marie parish church: one in 1770 and another in 1959. The church is part of Wittenheim’s historical and religious heritage. The Sainte-Barbe parish church was built by the Alsatian potash mines and is decorated with paintings by Georges Desvallières. The churches thus offer different points of interest: at Sainte-Marie, two construction campaigns are documented, while at Sainte-Barbe, its connection to mining and its paintings shape the way the building is viewed.
Woodland, promenades and outdoor activities
The Nonnenbruch Forest stretches along the edge of Wittenheim’s Fernand Anna and Sainte-Barbe districts. Its landscape includes steppe clearings, spoil heaps and former quarries that have formed ponds. Marked trails cross the forest and connect several municipalities. The mix of clearings, traces of mining and ponds gives a walk here a different character from simply viewing the historic buildings.
The Parc du Rabbargala covers six hectares of natural space and has a 3.6-kilometre promenade. It also has three wooden playgrounds, one of which is wheelchair accessible. Check the facilities before your visit, as they may change.
The Parcours Vita in Wittenheim combines walking, running and strengthening exercises in a green setting. It is freely accessible all year round and starts on Rue de Colmar. These offer different ways to get active: a promenade in the Parc du Rabbargala and a trail that combines several types of activity.
Cinema as a cultural addition
The Cinéma Gérard Philipe has been open since 1992. It screens new releases every week and also offers a series of heritage films. The cinema complements the historic buildings and memorial sites with a film program that brings together contemporary cinema and film history.
Discover more destinations: Katzenthal, Riedwihr, Hunawihr, Lutter, Kientzheim, Sentheim, Bischwihr, Osenbach
For the overview of the wider region: Haut-Rhin.
