Gildwiller

Gildwiller is a commune with 291 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region. It belongs to the canton of Dannemarie and the Local Government Association, Porte d'Alsace.

Geography

Gildwiller located 13 kilometers southwest of Cernay in Sundgau.

History

The name is derived from the Germanic name Gildwiller Geldulf and from the Latin word villare what farmstead or hamlet is, and is in turn derived from villa. So he means " homestead of Geldulf ".

In the documents of the monastery Murbach Gildwiller is first mentioned as Gyldulfoviler 728. The Holy Morandus (1075-1115) is said to he of Our Lady in the pilgrimage church on a hill at Gildwiller visited the portrait every Friday. The pilgrimage place is considered one of the oldest in Alsace.

Until 1648 the village belonged to the county Pfirt. From the German - French War (1870-1871) until 1914 Gildwiller came under German administration and was named Gildweiler.

Demographics

Attractions

Economy

The image of the landscape is dominated by fruit trees, fields and forest. The main economic activities are agriculture, cattle breeding and forestry. In Gildwiller also is a brewery located.