A Gothic choir dating from the first half of the 15th century and visible traces of earlier fortifications give Sainte-Croix-en-Plaine a distinctive historical character. These are complemented by recurring community events, ceramics activities and leisure pursuits.
From monastery to fortified settlement
The town’s history is generally traced back to the founding of a Benedictine convent south of Woffenheim. Count Hugues IV d’Eguisheim and his wife Heilwige de Dabo founded it between 1006 and 1035. Later, fortifications enclosed the houses and the abbey; these are dated to the years 1230 to 1250. A more precise construction date has not been recorded. The monastery’s foundation and the fortifications thus mark two distinct phases in the town’s history.
The former castle also forms part of this history: it stood on a motte and disappeared at the end of the 18th century. Part of it remains in the former “Le Château” primary school. Visible remnants of the former town wall and moat can also be seen. The castle fragment and traces of the fortifications offer different ways to explore the town’s architectural changes. If you plan to visit the wall and moat remains, check their visibility and access conditions on site.
Church and sacred art
The Church of Saint-Barthélemy brings together several clearly dated features. Its choir dates from the first half of the 15th century, and it also houses a Callinet organ from 1840. The organ case and the instrument itself are classified separately as historic monuments: the instrument on 6 February 1975, and the case on 11 December 1980. Three relics of the Holy Cross in the form of crucifixes are still kept in the church. The choir, organ and relics reveal different aspects of the church: its medieval architecture, 19th-century organ building and the religious tradition preserved there.
The altarpiece in the Marian Chapel also offers a close look at sacred art. It comprises ten statues: God the Father, Joseph of Arimathea, John, Mary Magdalene and Nicodemus, as well as five cherubs. If you plan to visit the church, check local access conditions beforehand.
Memorial sites
At the site known as Kosakenloch, two steles commemorate a bloody battle fought there in 1813. The Fosse des Cosaques memorial site has an information board. It explains the site’s history and the organization of the armed forces present there in 1813.
Events, leisure and getting there
The municipality regularly holds a tarte flambée festival and a flea market. If you would like to include either event in your stay, check the dates before travelling. Cairn Ceramique offers pottery classes and ceramics workshops at 14a Rue du Rhin; confirm availability before setting aside time for them.
A fitness trail is located along the Illweg. Check its condition before visiting. Cycling in the forest is another local leisure activity; conditions can vary depending on the route. For road access, there are two direct access points to and from the A35 motorway. Check road conditions before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Grentzingen, Galfingue, Bergheim, Stosswihr, Freland, Lièpvre, Logelheim, Illfurth.
For the broader travel overview: Haut-Rhin.
