Sauerbrunnen

Oberhambach, north of Birkenfeld

Saarland, Germany

Information translated from sign by the new wellhead:

"Hambach Chalybeate Well

The value of the Hambach waters were recognized during the Middle Ages and the the Hambach Sauerbrunnen was known far beyond the borders of our region. Well known historical figures used the waters for healing and drinking. The waters are defined as iron-containing mineral waters and recognized as medicinal waters by the German Spa Association and the German Tourist Bureau.

For centuries the spring area was carefully tended so that the valuable waters were not endangered. In 1996 the spring area was sold to the Schwollen Mineral Water industry for DM 1,000,000. Despite the opposition of the village of Oberhambach and the County of Birkenfeld, deep wells were bored and within a few days the centuries old original waters of the Sauerbrunnen were stopped. The waters from the deep wells do not have the characteristic taste of the Sauerbrunnen and are no different from normal tap water.

Our community is poorer for having lost this generations old cultural and natural treasure."

From bronze plaque on the wellhead:

"This spring flowed for centuries about 400 meters north of the present road and at the end of the 16^th century was one of the best known healing or medicinal springs in Germany. It was visited by the laic and cleric greats of their time. Its decline in the Thirty Years War was followed by a second blossoming under the Margrave Karl Frederich of Baden who erected a pump room or spa hostel for about 30 guests and their servants.

The Napoleonic Era *saw the downfall of this enterprise. In 1926 the spring was walled. In 1964 the County of Birkenfeld erected the new wellhead and park surroundings."

• Germany between the present French border and the Rhine River was occupied by France until 1814. The new emphasis on "scientific" methods and medicines lead to the ultimate decline and disappearance of many formerly used medicinal and holy wells.

Present well head and park area.

Daniel Taylor reacting to the "characteristic" taste of the Sauerbrunnen waters. Apparently the flow of the ancient spring has been restored somewhat.

April 25, 1999

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