Mertzen

Mertzen ( German Merzen ) is a commune with 217 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Haut-Rhin in the Alsace region. Mertzen is a member of the Communauté de communes de la Vallée de la Largue.

Geography

Mertzen is the Sundgau, ten kilometers south-west of Altkirch and 22 kilometers southeast of Belfort. In the south, bordering a forest strips at the center of the village, in the east there are fields and in the west the Largue flows through the community. Neighboring communities are Saint -Ulrich, Strueth, Hindlingen and fullerene.

The municipality had from 1910 to 1971 a station on the railway line Danne Marie- Pfetterhouse. The passenger was discontinued in 1965.

History

The name is derived from Mertzen Maurice, the saint, the the church is dedicated. In the 12th century Mertzen is even mentioned in a document Morenze. At that time the parish already existed. The first church at the site belonged to the priory of Saint -Ulrich.

Demographics

Attractions

The Théobald - Bilger Chapel was built by Théobald Bilger (1813-1894) in 1878, after he had made ​​a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

From the medieval church of Saint- Maurice still exists the choir tower, the lower part and upper part is Romanesque Gothic. The nave and the choir today were built around 1780. The church was restored in 1965. The organ was established in 1793 from parts of the organs of the monastery of La Petite, but in 1924 replaced by a pneumatic organ.

Economy

The main economic activities in Mertzen are farming, breeding of domestic animals and fruit. There is also a sawmill.