Presentation

The village appears in 1278. The precise meaning of its name is unclear: swampy brook or Guno’s brook? In the 13th century, the village is the Empire’s estate, belonging to the Pflixbourg castle, then given to Lord Conrad Werner of Hattstatt in 1285. In 1434, Gunsbach is sold to the Ribeaupierre family, and remains their property till 1789.

The village is worldwide known thanks to doctor Albert Schweitzer, pastor, theologian, organist, musicologist and Nobel Prize for Peace winner in 1952. His parents settled in the village when he was 6 months old. He left in 1913, with his wife, to create the hospital of Lambaréné in Gabon. His house, property of the Albert Schweitzer International Association, welcomes every year over 10,000 visitors from 50 countries. Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965) is buried in Lambaréné, in Gabon, as well as his wife Hélène, born Bresslau (1879-1957). Some members of his family are buried in the cemetery of Gunsbach, among which his father, Louis, his Mother, Adèle, and his brother, Paul.

What to do – to see

The simultaneum church

Both Catholics and Protestants have attended this church since 1751. It was extended and transformed many times. The organ, inaugurated in 1961, was renovated by Alfred Kern of Strasburg, according to Albert Schweitzer’s plan.

The city hall, house with turret

Dated 1570, Gunsbach’s city hall with the coat of arms on the frontage, is a remarkable building. A 1599 house with turret I situated at 1 rue de Munster.

Old presbytery

At 3 rue Albert Schweitzer, the old Protestant presbytery dated 19th century, was donated to the parish by Adolphe Müller. Albert Schweitzer’s father, Louis, pastor in Gunsbach, settled there till his death in 1925.

Albert Schweitzer’s house

Albert Schweitzer had this house built thanks to the Goethe prize the city of Frankfurt gave him. He moves in in 1929, and stays there while he travels to Europe. Now it is a museum (Ph.: +33 (0)3 89 77 31 42; open Tueday to Saturday – July-August: open on Sunday; 9 to 11:30 am / 2 to 4:30 pm; website: http://www.schweitzer.org)

African museum

The museum of African objects, on the 1st floor of the city hall, is open in July and August (every day except public holidays). Emma Haussknecht, deceased in 1956, who collaborated for many years with Albert Schweitzer, gathered a precious collection of African art and tools.

Albert Schweitzer monument

To go to the monument, take the path opposite the Schweitzer house. Albert Schweitzer liked to retire to Kanzrain, to meditate and admire nature’s beauty. As he writes in a letter to the sculptor of the monument: “because there, I was the one who thought. There, is my intellectual homeland; there, I wish I could rest in the stone, and have visitors”.

Albert Schweitzer trail

It is a walking trail, to meditate on Albert Schweitzer’s thoughts. Starting from the presbytery, 3 rue Albert Schweitzer, it will take you to 16 explanation signs, on about 1 km.

The walk of the water

Starting rue du Stade, the walk of the water is a 4 km trail with 13 stations, lasting about 2h30. To the sound of the flow, Gunsbach invites you to discover the story of its water, and the links to the trees, ground, and men. A leaflet is available at the city hall and the Tourist Office of Munster.