Urschenheim

The territory of Urschenheim bears traces of very ancient human occupation, illustrated by the presence of tumuli. A Roman road also crossed the region from the early centuries AD. However, the village only appears in texts in 817 under the name Uratesheim. Its name evolved over the centuries: Uresheim in 987, Ursheim in 1318, then Urszheim in 1639, before adopting its current name Urschenheim. From 1325, the village and its lands came under the authority of the bishops of Strasbourg, who became its lords. Several convents also owned property there. A new cadastre was established as early as 1657 and is preserved in local archives. This episcopal domination ended with the Revolution, when the inhabitants reclaimed the lands. The Hardtwald and Geisenlehn forests then became communal property. Urschenheim's population was heavily affected by wars and epidemics, such as the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), during which only five inhabitants reportedly survived. Repopulation occurred notably through immigrants from neighboring countries, including Switzerland. Notable monuments include the Saint George Church, built in the 19th century, its Romanesque choir bell tower dating from the 12th century, a sundial dated 1727, and low houses characteristic of the plain.