Recent from talks
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Seltz
View on WikipediaYou can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in French. (December 2008) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|

Key Information
Seltz (French pronunciation: [sɛlts]; German: Selz) is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of the Grand Est region in north-eastern France.[3] It is located on the Sauer River near its confluence with the Rhine, opposite the German town of Rastatt.
History
[edit]The former Celtic settlement of Saliso near a crossing of the Rhine river was mentioned as the Roman castrum Saletio in the Notitia Dignitatum about 425. Later a part of the German stem duchy of Swabia, Emperor Otto I granted the area to his wife Adelaide of Burgundy in 968. Saint Adelaide established Selz Abbey in 991 and died here eight years later.
In 1357 Emperor Charles IV of Luxembourg raised Selz to an Imperial city, after which the town joined the Alsatian Décapole league. It however lost its immediate status in 1414, when it was mediatised by Elector Palatine Louis III of Wittelsbach. Seltz finally was annexed by France in 1680.
Population
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2,373 | — |
| 1975 | 2,570 | +1.15% |
| 1982 | 2,637 | +0.37% |
| 1990 | 2,584 | −0.25% |
| 1999 | 2,985 | +1.62% |
| 2007 | 3,189 | +0.83% |
| 2012 | 3,281 | +0.57% |
| 2017 | 3,235 | −0.28% |
| Source: INSEE[4] | ||
Landmarks
[edit]Église Saint-Étienne de Seltz was last built in 1954–6.
Ferry Seltz - Plittersdorf (Germany). The Rhine ferry Seltz - Plittersdorf (in France: Bac Seltz - Plittersdorf or Bac de Seltz) is a yaw cable (reaction) ferry across the Rhine south of Karlsruhe. It connects the French municipality of Seltz in Alsace on the left bank of the Rhine with the German village of Plittersdorf, a part of Rastatt, on the right bank of the Rhine. The operator is the French European Collectivity of Alsace, the use of the ferry is free.[5]
Twin Towns - Sister Cities
[edit]Seltz is twinned with:
Obervellach, Austria
Santa Adélia, Brazil
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
- ^ "Populations de référence 2022" (in French). National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 19 December 2024.
- ^ INSEE commune file
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
- ^ "Les bacs rhénans". alsace.eu (in French and German). 11 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-07.
External links
[edit]Seltz
View on GrokipediaGeography
Location
Seltz is a commune situated in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France.[8] It forms part of the Alsace historical and cultural area, with administrative boundaries defined by the surrounding communes in the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg.[8] The precise geographical coordinates of Seltz are approximately 48°53′39″ N latitude and 8°6′25″ E longitude.[8] The commune is located approximately 50 kilometers northwest of the city of Strasbourg, the regional capital, making it accessible via regional roads and rail connections.[9] To the east, Seltz lies less than 10 kilometers from the German border, positioned directly adjacent to the Rhine River, which serves as the natural frontier between France and Germany in this area.[10] The town is near the confluence of the Sauer River with the Rhine, enhancing its strategic position along this major waterway.[11] Topographically, Seltz occupies a position in the Upper Rhine Plain, with an average elevation of around 122 meters above sea level, ranging from about 107 to 165 meters across its terrain.[12] This relatively low-lying landscape reflects the flat, fertile alluvial plains formed by the Rhine, contributing to the commune's rural character and agricultural suitability.[12]Physical Features
Seltz is characterized by a predominantly flat terrain situated in the Rhine floodplain, with elevations ranging from approximately 107 meters to 165 meters above sea level and an average elevation of 122 meters. This low-lying landscape features fertile alluvial soils deposited by the Rhine River, which support extensive agricultural use and contribute to the area's rich natural productivity. The proximity to the Rhine influences the local topography, creating a mosaic of floodplains and modest elevation variations, with land cover dominated by croplands (about 33% within 2 miles) and wooded areas (38%).[13][14][15] The climate of Seltz is semi-continental, marked by warm summers and cold winters, with partly cloudy conditions throughout the year. Average annual precipitation totals around 919 mm, with the wettest month being December at 97 mm and the driest April at 61 mm. Temperatures typically range from an average low of -1.7°C and high of 4.4°C in January (yielding an approximate monthly average of 2°C) to a low of 13.9°C and high of 25.6°C in July (approximate monthly average of 20°C). This temperate oceanic influence, moderated by the Rhine's valley, results in mild seasonal shifts compared to more inland continental areas.[16][15][17] Local flora and fauna thrive in the riparian zones along the Rhine, featuring damp meadows, reed beds, willow bushes, and Rhineland forests typical of floodplain ecosystems. These areas host diverse species, including numerous birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and insects adapted to wetland conditions. The commune includes protected natural areas such as the Réserve Naturelle Nationale du Delta de la Sauer, spanning 486 hectares across Seltz and neighboring Munchhausen, which preserves alluvial valleys and promotes biodiversity in this ecologically significant Rhine tributary delta.[18][19]History
Ancient Origins
The ancient origins of Seltz trace back to the Gaulish period, where the settlement was known as Saliso, inhabited by Celtic tribes such as the Triboci and Nemetes in the region along the Rhine. This pre-Roman name reflects its roots in the Iron Age Celtic culture of Gaul, with the area serving as part of the broader tribal territories west of the Rhine before Roman expansion.[3] During the Roman era, Saliso evolved into Saletio, a recognized settlement in the province of Gaul, initially under the administrative umbrella of Gallia Belgica until around 69-90 AD, after which it fell within Germania Superior.[3] Positioned near the Rhine River, Saletio functioned as a strategic waystation and potential port along key trade and military routes, facilitating commerce and logistics in the Roman frontier zone, as evidenced by its inclusion in ancient documents like the Antonine Itinerary and the Peutinger Table.[20][21] The site's role at the crossroads between the civitates of the Triboci and Nemetes underscores its importance as a regional hub during the 1st to 4th centuries AD. Archaeological evidence from Saletio reveals a significant Gallo-Roman agglomeration, with key finds including Latin-inscribed pottery and stone artifacts dating primarily from the early Roman period, such as items documented in the Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (CIL XIII) and the Carte archéologique de la Gaule (CAG 67.1).[3] Notable discoveries encompass pottery shards with inscriptions from around 2 BC to 8 AD, indicating early Roman influence and settlement activity, alongside ruins that suggest structures related to trade and daily life near the Rhine.[3] These artifacts, including examples like TM id 422744 and TM id 662905, provide tangible proof of continuous occupation and Roman integration into the local Gaulish framework from the 1st century AD onward.[3] As Roman authority waned in the late 4th and 5th centuries AD, Saletio transitioned toward early medieval configurations.Medieval Development
Following the decline of Roman administration in the region, early medieval settlements emerged in Seltz as part of the broader integration of Alsace into Frankish territories after Clovis I's conquest of the Alemanni in 496, establishing it as a Frankish duchy with influences from Merovingian and Carolingian rule.[22] During the 5th to 10th centuries, Frankish societal structures, including land management and Christianization efforts, shaped local development, with Alsace becoming part of the Middle Frankish kingdom of Lotharingia after the Treaty of Verdun in 843, fostering continuity from Roman-era sites like Saletio.[23] A key religious and architectural milestone occurred in the late 10th century with the foundation of Selz Abbey around 991 by Empress Adelheid, who established the Benedictine monastery dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul, granting it imperial status and immunity under Emperor Otto III in 992, which supported early church constructions and monastic life in the area.[24] By the 12th and 13th centuries, the abbey fell under the patronage of noble families such as the Counts of Dagsburg, who managed ecclesiastical properties and contributed to regional lordships amid Alsatian feudal dynamics within the Holy Roman Empire.[23] In the 13th century, Seltz experienced shifts in control, exemplified by the 1281 donation of the town (referred to as Selse) by Margraves Herman and Rudolf of Baden to the city of Strasbourg, reflecting evolving feudal lordships and potential fortifications tied to strategic Rhine Valley positions, though specific defensive structures in Seltz remain sparsely documented.[23] During the 14th century, Seltz gained prominence in the Holy Roman Empire as a free imperial town in 1357, followed by its incorporation into the Alsace Decapolis league by Emperor Charles IV in 1358, which provided economic mutual aid among member towns and highlighted its role in regional conflicts and trade networks along the Rhine.[25] This status ended in 1414 when Elector Louis III of the Palatinate seized the town, transforming it into a Palatine lordship and integrating it into broader Alsatian power struggles.[25] Economically, medieval Seltz exemplified rural Alsatian towns with shifts toward agriculture on fertile loess soils and Rhine-related trade, supported by the Decapolis framework that facilitated inter-town commerce and resilience against feudal disruptions from 1358 to 1414.[25]Modern Period
During the French Revolution, Seltz experienced significant turmoil, including the Battle of Seltz on October 13, 1793, where Austrian forces defeated French republicans.[26] Following the return of republican forces in December 1793, the town saw the "Grande fuite," a mass exodus of residents to the Margraviat of Bade amid widespread fear.[26] After 1790, Seltz was integrated into the newly formed Bas-Rhin department as part of France's administrative reorganization under the Revolution, solidifying its place within the French Republic.[27] In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte, as First Consul, convened the assembly of the Canton at Seltz on January 9, an event documented in local archives that underscored the town's alignment with the post-Revolutionary French state.[26] The 19th century brought further upheaval with the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, culminating in the Treaty of Frankfurt in 1871, which annexed Seltz to the German Empire alongside much of Alsace-Lorraine.[26] This period saw economic changes, including the regularization of the Rhine River, which prompted significant emigration from Seltz to destinations such as America, southern Russia, Algeria, and larger French cities due to rural exodus and population pressures.[26] During World War I, nearly fifty Seltzois lost their lives on the battlefields while serving under German command, contributing to ongoing demographic fluctuations in the region.[26] In the 20th century, Seltz endured the impacts of World War II, with residents mobilized into the French army starting in September 1939, followed by evacuation to Mézières-sur-Issoire in Haute-Vienne.[26] The town suffered heavy losses, alongside the destruction of the Saint Etienne church's steeple and nave by a German shell in 1940.[26] Seltz was liberated twice—first by American troops in December 1944 and again by North African soldiers under French command in March 1945—with post-war bombings further devastating homes and infrastructure.[26] After 1945, the town underwent reconstruction, benefiting from European integration that promoted Franco-German friendship, including the establishment of German companies and increased cross-border economic activity, which helped reverse population declines and supported steady growth through economic modernization and infrastructure development.[26]Demographics
Population Trends
The population of Seltz has shown a pattern of overall growth with some fluctuations followed by a decline and then a recent rebound, based on official census data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). From 1968 to 2015, the population increased from 2,373 to a peak of 3,378 inhabitants, reflecting broader post-World War II demographic expansion in rural Alsatian communes driven by improved living conditions and limited industrialization.[28] This growth averaged about 0.7% annually in later periods, such as between 1999 and 2010, supported by positive migration balances in earlier decades.[28] However, between 2015 and 2021, the population decreased to 3,135, marking an annual decline of 1.2%, attributed to a negative natural balance (births minus deaths at -0.3%) and net out-migration (-0.9%).[28] By 2022, the population rebounded to 3,168 inhabitants.[29] Factors influencing these trends include the commune's rural character, which has contributed to depopulation through younger residents moving to urban centers for employment, as well as a declining birth rate that fell from 16.8‰ in 1968-1975 to 5.9‰ in 2015-2021, while mortality rates remained stable around 7.6‰ to 10.3‰.[28] Although specific data on wartime impacts like World War II are not detailed in census records for Seltz, the region's history of conflict likely contributed to earlier fluctuations, with recovery evident in the mid-20th century figures starting at 2,373 in 1968.[28] Recent INSEE census data from 2021 highlights an aging population structure, with 18.9% of residents aged 65 and over (591 individuals out of 3,135 total), up from previous decades as younger cohorts (0-14 years) dropped to 13.9% from 16.0% in 2010.[28] Updated data for 2022 is not yet detailed for age structure, but the overall population increase suggests ongoing demographic shifts. This aging trend, with increases in the 60-74 (16.3%) and 75+ (9.8%) groups as of 2021, underscores challenges like rural depopulation and the need for sustained local services, though the overall density remains at about 149 inhabitants per km² as of 2021, rising slightly to approximately 152 per km² in 2022.[28][29]| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1968 | 2,373 |
| 1975 | 2,570 |
| 1982 | 2,637 |
| 1990 | 2,584 |
| 1999 | 2,985 |
| 2010 | 3,220 |
| 2015 | 3,378 |
| 2021 | 3,135 |
| 2022 | 3,168 |
