Steinbourg can be explored from two perspectives: through marked hiking trails and through its architectural history and local traditions. The Church of Saints Peter and Paul and La Fontaine aux Enfants represent different aspects of its cultural heritage. Two routes can be compared both by their stated lengths and by their themes.

Hiking Trails by Length and Theme

Two specific figures are available for comparing the routes: the Sentier des Arbres Remarquables is 9 km long and marked with yellow rings; the Circuit André Weckmann is 4.8 km long and marked with red rings. This makes the Circuit 4.2 km shorter. The marker colors also distinguish the trails. The Sentier passes through the Vogelgesang forest and includes twelve remarkable trees within the municipality of Steinbourg. These trees are notable for their size, appearance, age or significance. The Circuit was created to highlight Steinbourg’s natural, cultural and historical heritage. This gives you two clear criteria for choosing: the route length and the focus of each trail. The Sentier focuses on a selection of remarkable trees, while the Circuit explicitly focuses on nature, culture and history.

A Church with a Long Building History

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is documented as early as 1371. The original church was rebuilt in 1789, destroyed in 1896 and replaced in 1897 by a new building constructed by Heinrich Hannig. The 1371 record and the 1897 new building mark different stages in the church’s history. The church has three aisles; its main masonry is made of sandstone and dressed stone. Its historical development, the layout of the church interior and the details of its masonry can thus be considered as different aspects of the building.

La Fontaine aux Enfants: Design and Local Tradition

Another part of the cultural heritage is La Fontaine aux Enfants, a historic water reservoir dating from the 13th or 14th century. At its base is a hexagonal oak framework, topped by ashlar blocks of Vosges sandstone. Local folklore held that the fountain could grant a wish for a child if sugar was thrown into it. The fountain therefore combines specific architectural features with a local tradition passed down as folklore.

Ecological Context and Planning Your Visit

Steinbourg is listed in the ZNIEFF “Paysage de collines avec vergers du Pays de Hanau.” The boundaries of this ecological inventory may be revised. The inventory listing adds an ecological perspective to the hiking and cultural heritage themes. Steinbourg Castle currently houses the town hall and the municipal library. If you are planning a visit, check the current access arrangements in advance.

Discover more destinations: Benfeld, Duttlenheim, Hunspach, Andlau, Scharrachbergheim-Irmstett, Ottersthal, Bischwiller, Epfig

For the broader travel overview: Bas-Rhin.