Old Souffelweyersheim

Souffelweyersheim today features a remarkable collection of half-timbered houses, mainly rebuilt between 1816 and 1819. This reconstruction followed the near-total destruction of the village during the Battle of Souffel in 1815, which pitted retreating Napoleonic troops against the Württemberg forces. While the wealthier residents were able to quickly rebuild their homes, the full reconstruction of the village extended throughout the 19th century. The Saint George Church, located at General de Gaulle Square, is a testament to this period: burned down in 1815, it was rebuilt in 1820 while preserving part of its original tower. In a neoclassical style, it features a clock frame dating from 1781 and a crucifix donated by parishioners in 1815. Its nave was enlarged in 1935. Among private buildings, the Lorentz Farm (4 rue des Tonneliers) and its chapel illustrate the romantic charm of the era. Built for René Lorentz, this building is distinguished by its wooden balcony protected by an extended roof supported by an ornate gable, an economical and decorative technique. Aloïse Lorentz, a watchmaker and organ builder, added a chapel in 1897, funded from his own resources. A fire in 1928 miraculously spared this building, whose door still bears traces of scorching. The choir's stained glass windows, made by the Ott brothers of Strasbourg, date from the same year. Finally, the Joséphine Villa (54 rue du Canal), built in 1890 for Théophile Lienhardt, mayor from 1900 to 1902, breaks with traditional architecture through its complex plan, roof projections, turret, and spire. The Lorentz Farm and its chapel are not open to visitors but remain visible from the street.