Bourgheim: Romanesque Architecture and Wine-Growing Traditions

Bourgheim can be understood through several distinct themes: the Church of Saint-Arbogast, its location on the Kirneck and wine-growing on the slopes of the Piedmont. Its long history of settlement and the historic defensive role of the fortin are also part of the picture. If you choose a destination for its architectural and landscape character, Bourgheim offers several points of interest.

The Church of Saint-Arbogast

The Church of Saint-Arbogast stands on a hill at the site of a Gallo-Roman structure. It has a four-storey Romanesque tower and a Romanesque choir. The church continues to be shared by the Catholic and Protestant denominations; the simultaneous-use arrangement is still in force. Here, architectural history and an ongoing shared religious use come together in one building. If you would like to visit the church, check its practical opening arrangements separately.

A Romanesque portal survives on the south side. It once led to the cemetery; the south portal is now walled up. Its semicircular lintel is decorated with two symmetrical Trees of Jesse and dates from around 1150. For those interested in Romanesque architecture, Saint-Arbogast offers several distinctive features: the four-storey tower, the Romanesque choir and the elaborately decorated portal. The portal’s former role as a cemetery entrance differs from its surviving architectural form.

Landscape and wine-growing

Bourgheim lies on the Kirneck and on a loess terrace above the Bruch de l’Andlau. These describe two different aspects of its location. In addition, wine has been grown on the slopes of the Piedmont near Bourgheim for a long time. Its setting and wine-growing tradition are distinct themes alongside the church’s architecture. If you give greater weight to landscape and agriculture when choosing a destination, these geographical and cultural features may help inform your decision.

Wine tasting in Bourgheim

The Domaine Lutz winery welcomes visitors to its cellar in Bourgheim for free wine tastings and can accommodate groups. If you are planning a tasting, arrange the visit in advance. Wine lovers can explore two distinct aspects: the long-standing wine-growing tradition on the slopes of the Piedmont and a tasting in the winery’s cellar. The tasting is a practical way to discover Bourgheim through its wine-growing tradition.

Further historical perspectives

The area of Bourgheim has been settled since the 1st century. Along with the south portal, which dates to around 1150, and the simultaneous-use arrangement that remains in force, this provides different timeframes for understanding the town’s history. The Fortin of Bourgheim served a different purpose: it protected the road and the guard post on the Kirneck. The church’s historical significance and the fortin’s defensive role can therefore be considered as distinct aspects. The area’s settlement history adds another historical perspective to this building and usage history.

Discover more destinations: Hunspach, Lampertheim, Rhinau, Witternheim, Kurtzenhouse, Haguenau, Batzendorf, Sundhouse

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.