Gloeckelsberg Tower

On the Gloeckelsberg hill, only the porch tower of the former medieval baptismal church remains. This Romanesque relic from the 11th and 12th centuries, fortified and pierced with arrow slits, showcases the art of the era. The rest of the church was destroyed in 1829, but four columns with sculpted capitals depicting monstrous animals, mermaids, palmettes, and stylized trees were donated to the Historical Monuments and are now displayed at the Musée de l’Œuvre-Notre-Dame in Strasbourg. These sculptures, dating from around 1100, illustrate the artistic richness of the period.

Once topped with a gabled roof, the tower was restored in 1873 and equipped with a terrace offering a panoramic view. Its name, Gloeckelsberg – the hill of little bells – recalls its alert function: the bell rang in case of danger. Overlooking the Alsace plain by nearly 200 meters, the hill offers a vast landscape including the Erstein plain, the Kochersberg hills, the Blue Line of the Vosges, and the Black Forest.

In the surrounding cemetery, old tombstones lie beneath a gnarled tree, the “Schlàngebööme,” nearly 250 years old. Although the tower is currently closed due to the deteriorated condition of its interior staircase, the hill remains accessible to enjoy this panorama and the atmosphere of this historic site.