Discovering the picturesque Rhinearea
> Shrines
Neufeld, 67760 Gambsheim
The oldest shrine was built in 1721. It carries the inscription: “this cross was erected by Adam Riebel to the glory of God”
Tip: Many other shrines can be found in Gambsheim. Different reasons motivated their benefactors to erect them.
Rue de Mai, 67840 Kilstett
They often commemorate churches or familiar events. Most of them are built of sandstone from the Vosges and date from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tip: The oldest shrine is dated from the year 1776.
> House of wild duck hunting, Hornisgrindestr. 7, 77866 Rheinau-Memprechtshofen
For more than 200 years, men have been hunting wild ducks in Memprechtshofen. They used a so-called “Duck catch”. A house of duck hunting was built close nearby in 1721 to serve as a dwelling place for the manorial duck hunter. Today it is the oldest house in Memprechtshofen.
Tip: On a German memorial plaque, you will find facts about this hunting. This point of interest is also included in the history and nature trail (see Nature)
> Historic bowling alley made of wood, Ortsstraße , 77866 Rheinau-Holzhausen
The ancient bowling alley of the guesthouse “Zum Pflug” is part of the townscape of Holzhausen. It was built around 1893 and along with the one in Rheinau is the last historic bowling alley left that is made of wood. A model is even shown in the handcrafts museum in Kehl-Kork. The bowling alley has been saved from decay in 2005 by the local administration and the “Schlepperfreunde Holzhausen e.V.” association. It was faithfully rebuilt on a new place.
> Town hall, 18 Route du Rhin, 67760 Gambsheim
The town hall was rebuilt on the same spot as the previous town dall, which was destroyed – like many others – during a fire in 1717. It is one of the few houses made up of wood panels and fitted with a bell turret. On a corner post you can distinguish the royal crown and the inscription “vive le roi, 1823” (long live the king) honouring King Louis the XVIIIth.
Tip: Near the town hall, there are other very well preserved half-timbered houses. Go to the Rue de la Mairie # 38. The cladding is adorned with an engraved “Totem”; although the feature looks horrible, the figure protects an angel by holding it tight in his hands.
> Tower, Schlossplatz, 77866 Rheinau-Rheinbischofsheim
At the beginning of the 19th century, the tower was built as prison for the village Rheinbischofsheim. In 1804 it was still referred to as “under construction” and stood directly near the castle that was built in 1704, but never finished. Especially after the Baden Revolution in 1848/49 the tower served as a prison for the rebels. In its three “small chambers” more than 55 persons were kept for several days. Later it served as shelter for the poor and a hospital. After World War II, the building was a shelter for refugees.
> Fossil oak tree, Quai Zilliox, 67850 Offendorf
In 1990, a petrified tree was found in the gravel pit “Concasse d’Offendorf”, which dimension was remarkable. This herbal witness of the former alluvial landscape is the trunk of a 500-year-old oak tree, which may have been there for several thousand years. About 8 m long, the trunk reaches at its basis 2,30 m diameter. Altogether its weighs approximately 16,5 tons.
Tip: an acrylic glass roof protects the trunk from bad weather. Laying on cobblestones, it can be reached from each side.
