# Allenwiller > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Allenwiller > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Allenwiller.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allenwiller > Source revision: 1348116462 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Allenwiller** (alənvilɛʁ; [Alsatian](/source/Alsatian_language): *Àllewiller*) is a former [commune](/source/Communes_of_France) in the [Bas-Rhin](/source/Bas-Rhin) [department](/source/Departments_of_France) in the [Grand Est](/source/Grand_Est) region of northeastern [France](/source/France). On 1 January 2016, it was merged into the new commune [Sommerau](/source/Sommerau,_Bas-Rhin).[2] ## Geography A small village in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region, Allenwiller is part of the Canton of Saverne. It is located at an altitude of 242 metres and neighbours the communes of [Salenthal](/source/Salenthal) and [Singrist](/source/Singrist). The commune has an area of 596 hectares. Allenwiller is located about 35 kilometres west by north-west of Strasbourg and 10 km south of Saverne. The nearest store and railway station are at Marmoutier about 7 kilometres to the north. ### Distances All distances are road distances measured from road D817 (Rue de Romanswiller). From Allenwiller to: - [Saverne](/source/Saverne) 12 km; - [Strasbourg](/source/Strasbourg): 35 km; - [Colmar](/source/Colmar): 80 km; - [Mulhouse](/source/Mulhouse): 117 km; - [Metz](/source/Metz): 135 km. The largest town near Allenwiller is the town of [Saverne](/source/Saverne), located northwest of the commune. Two rivers pass through Allenwiller: the *Sommerau* and the *Sommergraben*. ### Neighbouring communes and villages [3] ## History Allenwiller has often changed ownership. First owned by the Abbey of [Marmoutier](/source/Marmoutier), it passed to the [Bishop of Metz](/source/Bishop_of_Metz) in 828, then to the lords of Ochsenstein in 1187, to the County of Zweibrücken-Bitsch in 1485, to [Hanau-Lichtenberg](/source/Hanau-Lichtenberg) in 1570, then finally to [Hesse-Darmstadt](/source/Hesse-Darmstadt) in 1736. Successive names of Allenwiller were: - Alenevilla (10th century); - Alhinwilre (13th century); - Alhenwilre (14th century); - Alenwilre (15th century); - Alenweiler; - then Allenwiller. The first written record of the existence of Allenwiller traces back to the 10th century. The origin of the coat of arms was from [Ochsenstein](/source/Ch%C3%A2teau_d'Ochsenstein) Castle near [Reinhardsmunster](/source/Reinhardsmunster), via the forest house of Haberacker. This fortress had three interconnected castles. The village often served as a pledge in return for a loan or debt. In 1641 there were more people living in Allenwiller but the [Thirty Years' War](/source/Thirty_Years'_War), poverty, famine, and pestilence destroyed the village. The repopulation of the village was carried out by families from [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland), [Tyrol](/source/County_of_Tyrol), [Vorarlberg](/source/Vorarlberg), and [Normandy](/source/Normandy). ## Administration **List of Successive Mayors**[4] From To Name 2001 2016 Roger Muller ## Demography The inhabitants of the commune are known as *Allenwillerois* or *Allenwilleroises* in French.[5] Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1793 632 — 1800 458 −27.5% 1806 445 −2.8% 1821 458 +2.9% 1831 487 +6.3% 1836 496 +1.8% 1841 507 +2.2% 1846 483 −4.7% 1851 467 −3.3% 1856 433 −7.3% 1861 424 −2.1% 1866 465 +9.7% 1872 445 −4.3% 1875 506 +13.7% 1880 460 −9.1% 1885 430 −6.5% 1890 406 −5.6% 1895 393 −3.2% 1900 393 +0.0% 1905 415 +5.6% 1910 405 −2.4% 1921 400 −1.2% 1926 402 +0.5% 1931 401 −0.2% 1936 365 −9.0% 1946 363 −0.5% 1954 369 +1.7% 1962 358 −3.0% 1968 381 +6.4% 1975 378 −0.8% 1982 393 +4.0% 1990 418 +6.4% 1999 453 +8.4% 2007 501 +10.6% 2012 526 +5.0% EHESS[6] and INSEE[7] ### Repopulation after the Thirty Years War Kieffer, in his *Pfarrbuch* of Hanau-Lichtenberg, published a survey dating from 1641. This is the statement of the royalties due to the lord. It lists all the different posts and after each post, there is the word "Nichts" meaning nil. It ends with the line "Wagenfrohnden nichts" meaning nothing. The explanation lies in a footnote: "es ist keine lebendige Seele mehr in Allenwiller" (there is no longer a living soul in Allenwiller). In order to repopulate the village families came from Switzerland: the Clauss family, the Mullers, and the Zimmermanns came from the [Bernese Oberland](/source/Bernese_Oberland); the Gass family and The Steiners came from [Basel](/source/Basel). These people left their countries because the economic situation there was unenviable and a peasant revolt had been severely repressed. Other families came from [Tyrol](/source/County_of_Tyrol) and [Vorarlberg](/source/Vorarlberg). Still others came from [Normandy](/source/Normandy). The Lord of Birkenwald, Gabriel du Terrier, brought families from his native province of Normandy. Their names underwent some modifications to French: - Bastien = [Bastian](/source/Bastian) - Messance = Messang - Rollin = Rolling - La Vitte = Virra = Wetha = Wetta In 1687 Pierre Vitta was the manager of Birkenwald Castle. ## Education Students from Allenwiller attend nursery school in the commune. The primary school is at [Salenthal](/source/Salenthal). College students go to the Leonardo da Vinci College at [Marmoutier](/source/Marmoutier) and high school students go to the Leclerc school or to Haut-Barr in [Saverne](/source/Saverne). In late 2011 a new school was built as an inter-school for the three villages that are in the regional grouping (RPI) (Allenwiller, Salenthal, and [Birkenwald](/source/Birkenwald)). ## Economy There was a sawmill in the village but it was sold. The nearest grocery store is at [Romanswiller](/source/Romanswiller). A hypermarket is at [Marmoutier](/source/Marmoutier). The courts are at Saverne and [Strasbourg](/source/Strasbourg). An Alsatian theatre takes place from February to May, but not every year for various reasons. ## Culture and heritage ### Civil heritage The commune has a number of buildings and structures that are registered as historical monuments: - A Napoleonic **Resting Bench** at CD 817 (1855)[8] There are many "Napoleonic" benches dated 1811 - the date of birth of [Napoleon II](/source/Napoleon_II). There is a "Eugenie" bench named after [Empress Eugenie](/source/Empress_Eugenie), wife of [Napoleon III](/source/Napoleon_III). These benches are dated 1854, 1855 and 1856. When the first trains connected the larger communities, these benches facilitated travel in the countryside. Erected every 2 km, there were 448 in the Bas-Rhin department. As victims of road widening they gradually disappeared and one was stolen on 3 November 2010 for unknown reasons. - A **Farmhouse** at 1 Rue du Cimetière (1669)[9] - A **Flour Mill** at 2-4 Rue d'Obersteigen (18th century)[10] - A **Farmhouse** at 19 Rue Principale (1727)[11] - A **Farmhouse** at 22 Rue Principale (18th century)[12] - A **Farmhouse** at 29 Rue Principale (1791)[13] - A **Farmhouse** at 37 Rue Principale (1798)[14] - A **Farmhouse** at 6 Rue Principale (1792)[15] - A **Cooper's Farmhouse** at 7 Rue de Romanswiller (1732)[16] - **Houses and Farms**[17] ### Religious heritage The commune has several religious buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments: - A **Cemetery** (1847).[18] The current cemetery is common to both Catholics and Protestants. A special collection helped to erect the cross in the middle of the cemetery also dated September 1847. The cemetery contains two items that are registered as historical objects: - All movable items in the Cemetery[19] - The Cemetery Cross (1847)[20] - The **Protestant Church of Saint-Michel** (1739).[21] "Keyser Schulteis 1739" is the text above the entrance which provides information on the date of construction of the present [nave](/source/Nave). Some stones and other traces of the old tower prove the existence of a very old [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) nave followed by a Gothic nave. The Romanesque bell tower has three floors with the ground floor serving as the [choir](/source/Choir_(architecture)). The eucharistic wall cabinet is dated 1473 and it resembles the wall tabernacle that is in the sacristy of Salenthal from 1465. The church contains several items that are registered as historical objects: - The Furniture in the Church (Supplementary list)[22] - The Tomb of Katharina Osterman (1840)[23] - The Tomb of Peter Steiner (1818)[24] - The Tomb of Johannes Schweihard Metz (1814)[25] - A Protestant Box of Hosts (1830)[26] - A Protestant [Paten](/source/Paten) (1830)[27] - A Communion Goblet (1830)[28] - A Communion [Ewer](/source/Ewer) (18th century)[29] - A Baptismal basin (18th century)[30] - The Organ (1876)[31] - A Monumental Painting (1908)[32] - A Pastoral Chair (19th century)[33] - A Eucharistic Cabinet (1473)[34] - The **Protestant Presbytery** (18th century)[35] - The **Parish Church of Saint-Michel** (1905).[36] The church is in the [Gothic Revival](/source/Gothic_Revival) style. The stones are a beautiful Vosges sandstone from a local quarry. The laying of the cornerstone took place on 29 September 1905 and the church was opened on 29 September 1906 - a record construction time which deserves mention. Formerly, Catholics and Protestants used the same church for 219 years. On 28 August 1939 it came close to disaster when lightning struck the steeple. The priest Bernhart was absent and it was Pastor Gerold who gave the alarm. Able-bodied men were mobilized. These improvised firefighters saved the building taking many risks. The church contains Furniture (Supplementary list) which is registered as an historical object.[37] Since the fire many works have been carried out: - Painting, upgrading of the organ, heating, paving, tiling - Double glazing, a wooden ceiling, painting, sound system. - These works are financed by a charity fair, a theatre, voluntary work, and anonymous benefactors. ## Events and celebrations in Allenwiller - The first Sunday of October: *Messti* for the village. ## See also - [Communes of the Bas-Rhin department](/source/Communes_of_the_Bas-Rhin_department) - [Communes of the Bas-Rhin department sorted by arrondissements and cantons](/source/Communes_of_the_Bas-Rhin_department_sorted_by_arrondissements_and_cantons) - [Communities of Communes of the Bas-Rhin département](/source/Communities_of_Communes_of_the_Bas-Rhin_d%C3%A9partement) - [Arrondissements of the Bas-Rhin département](/source/Arrondissements_of_the_Bas-Rhin_d%C3%A9partement) - [Cantons of the Bas-Rhin département](/source/Cantons_of_the_Bas-Rhin_d%C3%A9partement) ## References 1. ["Populations de référence 2022"](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/fichier/8290591/ensemble.pdf) [Reference populations 2022] (in French). [INSEE](/source/Institut_national_de_la_statistique_et_des_%C3%A9tudes_%C3%A9conomiques). December 2024. 1. [Arrêté préfectoral](http://www.bas-rhin.gouv.fr/content/download/17755/131609/file/Recueil%20n%C2%B0%2024%20du%2015%20d%C3%A9cembre%202015.pdf) 8 December 2015 (in French) 1. [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Allenwiller,+France/@48.6499799,7.3672911,3006m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x4796a7ccfe3db619:0x475ea87a4884e2e4?hl=en) 1. [List of Mayors of France](http://www.francegenweb.org/mairesgenweb/resultcommune.php?id=5970) 1. [Le nom des habitants du 67 - Bas-Rhin](https://www.habitants.fr/bas-rhin-67), habitants.fr 1. [Populations légales 2012](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2123878?geo=COM-67004), INSEE 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Mérimée (in French) 1. Ministry of Culture, Palissy (in French) ## External links - [Allenwiller on the old National Geographic Institute website](https://web.archive.org/web/20070311043153/http://www.ign.fr/affiche_rubrique.asp?rbr_id=1087&CommuneId=63503) (in French) - [Allenwiller on Géoportail](http://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/accueil?c=7.3764,48.6558&z=7.92265E-5&l=GEOGRAPHICALGRIDSYSTEMS.MAPS.3D$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS@aggregate(1)&l=ADMINISTRATIVEUNITS.BOUNDARIES$GEOPORTAIL:OGC:WMTS(1)&permalink=yes), [National Geographic Institute](/source/Institut_g%C3%A9ographique_national) (IGN) website (in French) - [*Allenweiller* on the 1750 Cassini Map](http://rumsey.geogarage.com/maps/cassinige.html?lat=48.6558&lon=7.3764&zoom=13) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Allenwiller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allenwiller) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allenwiller?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.