Walschbronn
Near Bitsche, Alsace, France
This ancient Lorraine village was long known for its healing well. The unusual waters were effective for many illnesses. The spring was used during the Roman occupation of the area; coins and votive stones were found here. The water also contained petroleum which was used for burning in lamps as far back as Roman times. Numerous burial mounds nearby indicate an even earlier usage.
The first written record uses the name "Galesburas" for the settlement, perhaps recalling the Scottish missionary saint, Gallus. Perhaps he stopped here on one of his missionary journeys. The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa supposedly had the springs enclosed and a bathing facility was built. This was destroyed during the Thirty Years War, but the healing spring continued in use until about 1800.
Source: Heimatkalendar fuer das Pirmasenser und Zweibruecker Land, 1999. Article by Theodor Rohr
When visited on March 20, 1999, the former holy well appeared to have become a "waschbach" or "lavoir" (depending on which language you want to use; it doesn’t matter in Walschbronn) or public washing complex. Water flowed from a pipe into two stone basins, then into the brook. There was no trace
of petroleum.
Janet Taylor at former holy well at Walschbronn, Dept. Bas-Rhin, France. March 20, 1999
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