The Romanesque Jakobus church
The wonderful Romanesque basilica of Feldbach is one of the oldest churches in all of Alsace. It already stood when Friedrich I, Count of Pfirt (Ferrette), and his wife Stephanie von Eguisheim founded a monastery here in the 12th century. The basilica in Feldbach was dedicated to St. Laurentius; this patronal feast indicates that it is an ancient Christian sanctuary. Feldbach was founded at the intersection of two Roman roads and it is believed that there was originally a Gallo-Roman sanctuary. After the monastery was founded, the church was probably rebuilt and placed under the patronage of James.
The Feldbach monastery, which was to the left of the church and has completely disappeared today, was one of the most important Cluniac monasteries in the Sundgau. Between twenty and thirty-four nuns lived here, most of whom were of noble families from Alsace or from nearby Switzerland. The monastery was demolished after the dissolution, while the church remained as a witness to history. It was renovated between 1975 and 1977 and partially restored to its original condition. The somewhat out of place tower, which was built in 1910 instead of a turret that rose above the facade, was left standing. The church interior with its mighty pillars, round arches and the simple wooden ceiling is a wonderful place of rest and reflection today, which is used not only for church services but also for concerts.
