Description
The first known name of Bergheim was “ Veredum ” and dates from Roman times. Among others,
it is attested by the discovery (in 1848 and 2006) of two remarkable mosaics, one of which can be seen in the Unterlinden Museum in Colmar and the other in the former synagogue in Bergheim.
After the Roman era, Bergheim changed hands several times : it belonged to the Moyenmoutier
abbey in Lorraine, and then to the Dukes of Lorraine, who gave the town as a fief to the Ribeaupierre
family. In 1313, the Ribeaupierre family sold it to the Habsburgs and in the 17th century, the town
became the property of the King of France (1648). Lastly, in the 18th century and up to the French
Revolution, Bergheim was once again the property of the Ribeaupierre family.
Bergheim was not a free town, but the many privileges granted to it were comparable to those of
free cities. The different privileges included the right to mint money, the right of jurisdiction and the
right of asylum (1).
In addition to being a charming medieval town, protected by Middle Age towers and ramparts,
Bergheim is a wine-growing town. The first known reference to vineyards in Bergheim appears
in a Carolingian charter of 25 July 768. Since 1983, Bergheim has two Grand Cru vineyards :
Kanzlerberg and Altenberg, which are particularly favourable to Gewürztraminer, of which
Bergheim has become the capital.
The oldest houses, which are made of brickwork and timber frames, date from the 15th century, with
gables rising above the streets.
Documentation
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68750 Bergheim
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