Paul

We made a second trip to Wissembourg and Soultz sous Fôret on Friday, I was able to pickup much information that I believe will be of interest to you. Probably most important is a history of the protestant church in Soultz - and the rest for city information centers in Wissembourg & Soultz. I will package these items for mailing to you early next week. Most of these documents are in three language (including English).

Unfortunately the history of the protestant church is in French and German only – but it does contain several excellent photos of interest - including a sketch of Sulz unterm Wald from 1774 (p. 16) as the village was known before the French Revolution of 1789 when the Alsace was fully integrated into the Kingdom of France. Other photos of interest include the altar area of the church in color (inside cover) and of Soultz and the two church towers in color (inside back cover). There is another sketch of the church from 1924 on p. 20; the old Schlossmühle (mill for the castle) from 1924 on p. 24; a 1822 sketch of Soultz & the salt works on p. 27; a recent photo of the protestant pastors house constructed in 1727 on p. 28; & a painting of the night watchman of Soultz in winter on p. 31;

In the "imagine …all four seasons in the Alsace" - a 36 page super overview of the Alsace in English give a great run down on the area historically on p. 18. The Michelin map of the Alsace today provides a good view of the relation of Soultz to Wissembourg & Haguenau – the major cities close to Soultz. Hoffen is not on this map - but would be about where the "H" is in Hunspach. A regional overview of the area is on p. 32 under "Potter’s villages, fortresses and Maginot Line." While Soultz is not mentioned, it does provide much detail about the communities in that part of the Alsace.

A pamphlet titled "Burg Fleckenstein" is also in three languages, including English. This is the family that was the imperial representative for three districts in the Alsace - including Fleckenstein - Soultz sous Fôret between 1248-1250.

Three other pamphlets give you more details about (1) the neighboring village of Hunspach, which is of interest as it gives a good word picture of the Fachwerk (half-timbered) home construction including various window types; (2) the pottery villages of Betschdorf and Soufflenheim. The Soufflenheim has a nice artist conception map in color of the area, showing Soultz and other major cities.

The Haguenau brochure is in three languages, including English - and gives a good an interesting tourist overview - but is weak in history. The Wissembourg brochure, on the other hand, is well done in English only and includes a detailed history & culture heritage page, Alsatian legends & traditions page, and a fisheye view color map.

Soultz today has a population of about 2,200. The city information office has only one handout - but it does give thumbnail history and provides a readable street map which shows the route of the Seltzbach and Froeschweilerbach, plus gives locations of the two churches, and railroad (SNCF). Also is a photo of the home and office of the protestant minister constructed in 1726. I will have to get a translation of the city history as it is in French - and will forward that to you later.

The history of the protestant church is in French (Soultz sous Fôret) and German (Sulz unterm Wald).