Buswiller: Church, Building History and Activities

Buswiller lies in the foothills of the Vosges at an average altitude of 225 metres. As a travel destination, the village can be discovered through its Protestant Saint-Sixte Church, historic buildings and activities available by prior appointment. Its history spans from a record dating to 1438 to evidence of rebuilding after the Thirty Years’ War. If you would like to include village history and architecture in your travel plans, Buswiller offers several different points of interest.

Saint-Sixte: Church and Local History

A document from 1438 attests to the existence of the Saint-Sixte Church in Buswiller. Since the Reformation was introduced in 1545, it has been reserved exclusively for Protestant worship. Its history thus connects an early record with a religious character that the church retains to this day.

The choir contains six epitaphs of members of the Gayling von Altheim, Böcklin von Böcklinsau and Wurmser von Vendenheim families. Mayor Rueff had them covered with a layer of plaster before the destruction of the Revolution of 1789, thereby preserving them. The church also contains six tombstones of the former lords of Buswiller, from the family of the Barons Gayling von Altheim.

The Corps de garde is part of the church complex. Dating from 1597, the building formerly served as a guardhouse and housed a prison. It is the surviving remnant of Buswiller’s former fortified cemetery complex. The church is therefore central to local history both for its religious heritage and for a building that once served protective and prison functions.

Schini Houses and Ferme Jacob

The distinctive feature of the Schini houses is a double loggia with two levels of balustrades. The houses reflect the architectural influence of the Swiss, who came to resettle the region after the Thirty Years’ War, which lasted from 1618 to 1648. Here, a specific architectural feature can be connected to a historical development in the region: the loggia form is part of the houses’ architectural heritage, while the resettlement explains the historical context.

Ferme Jacob also bears a precise date: 1599 is inscribed on the corner post of the residential building. The farm is one of the few farmsteads protected as historic monuments. The date on the residence and the farm’s protected status make Ferme Jacob another identifiable part of Buswiller’s architectural history.

Activities by Appointment and on 1 May

Ferme Buissonnière offers participatory activities by prior appointment. The programme is intended for children, young people, families, people with disabilities, older people, clubs, institutions and educational establishments. Activities include walks with animals, cooking workshops, and creative and traditional-skills workshops. Arrange an appointment in advance and confirm it before your visit.

Another way to explore the region’s paths is the annual hike organised by the Association Sports et Loisirs Culturels. It takes place every year on 1 May and follows local routes. If the hike is important to your travel plans, confirm the current year’s event locally. The farm activities require an appointment in advance, whereas the hike takes place on a set date each year.

Village Scenery and Practical Information

Benches line a landscaped path beside the school garden. Another part of local history is connected to the Eiler spring, which once supplied a fountain in the centre of Buswiller. Both add specific references to the village’s appearance and past alongside its historic buildings.

The Protestant church is in the village centre, with a car park nearby. As parking arrangements may change, check the information before setting out. This makes it possible to plan a visit to the church alongside the village’s other historical sites without assuming a particular route.

Discover more destinations: Wissembourg, Neuwiller-Lès-Saverne, Schirmeck, Siewiller, Schœnau, Holtzheim, Salmbach, Wingen.

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.