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Romanian Military Cemetery, Soulzmatt, AlsaceRomanian Military Cemetery, Soulzmatt, Alsace

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fritz
24675 pts.
  • Off the path Explo
    70 %
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    3.5 / 5
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    This cemetery is quite unknown Fritz.
  • Article Quality
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    • Score
      3 / 5
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      Nice description Fritz. Any tip for a unique Explo?
    • Score
      3 / 5
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      Yes. You added a plan!
    • Score
      3 / 5
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      Yes, 3 pics.
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      5 / 5
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      Yes:
    • Score
      5 / 5
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      Yes!
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Romanian military cemetery of the First World war, also called cemetery of the Val du Pâtre.

Explo History and Description: 

During the First World war, Alsace was annexed by Germany, and the Romanian were allied of France... The German installed some labour camps for the Romanian prisoners in Alsace, in such bad conditions that 2,344 of them died from cold and from hardships.

After the conflict, the municipality of Soultzmatt donated to Romania a piece of ground necessary for the arrangement of the cemetery in Gauchmatt. It was inaugurated in 1924 by king Ferdinand of Romania and queen Marie. This Romanian necropolis still constitutes a height-place of pilgrimage, where the leaders of Romania come to meditate every year.

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The cemetery of the Val du Pâtre includes 553 individual graves, as well as two big common graves containing 125 victims, who died from cold during the tragedy of Steinbrunn-le-Haut at night from 27 till 28 January 1917

Walking tour ; 8,5 km - 2h30 ; easy.

From Soulzmatt, car park on the left of D40 road, after a mineral water springs.
Cross the bridge. After 100 meters, take the Grossfels trail (blue and white disk).

It is there that a Franciscan monk discovered the mineral water spring in 1272.

From Grossfels, beautiful sight, with an oratory. Possibility of joining the menhir of Langenstein.

Follow the blue triangles towards the Romanian cemetery (2 km).

Take the trail with the yellow disk to join Schafbuckel (2 km), then the red and white disk to return to the car park.

Walking tour ; 9 km - 3h ; easy.

The way is the same than for the previous walking tour. But when you reach the Romanian cemetery, follow the blue triangles towards the pass of Bannstein (480 m), go throughout the pass and continue up to a crossroads (424 m). Take to the right the small road until Thannwiller, then to the right and follow D40 road up to the car park.

My experience and personal tips: 

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How getting there: 

To Soultzmatt : take the direction of Wintzfelden. At the crossroads after mineral springs, go to the left in the direction of Schweighouse and of Buhl.

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A tip to sleep: 

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Useful information: 
Open hours: 

No limit

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Visit duration: 

1/2 hour for cemetery

Entry fees: 

Free

Access security: 

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