Kirchheim

Kirchheim is a small Alsatian village of 719 inhabitants, nestled near the Wine Route in Marlenheim. Its history dates back to Roman times, as evidenced by the remains discovered on site. In the 7th century, it was even the residence of Merovingian kings, with a large fortified palace whose excavations conducted between 1898 and 1900 revealed its location between Rue du Général de Gaulle and Rue du Moulin. This site, a quadrilateral over 100 meters long and 83 meters wide, is now covered by modern buildings. Nearby, towards Place des Tilleuls, a section of wall decorated with polychrome frescoes depicting a grape harvest scene has been uncovered. These frescoes could be the oldest known evidence of grape harvesting in Alsace during Roman times. Several Merovingian rulers, including Dagobert II, Charles the Fat, and Empress Richarde, stayed here. Local legend even attributes the birth of the popular song "Le Roi Dagobert" to this village, whose festival is celebrated every two years. In Gutenberg's era, Kirchheim also housed one or more small printing presses, as evidenced by its coat of arms: an open book with a golden initial, the K of Kirchheim, accompanied at the base by an ink stamp.