Sarre-Union

Sarre-Union was formend in 1794 as the union of two towns, Bouquenom and Neu-Sarrewerden. Bouquenom, on the right bank of the Sarre, received its trown charter in 1328 but the site was already occupied in Gallo-Roman times. It is an ancient, fortified town with narrow, winding streets, originally enclosed by town walls with 13 towers and two gates. Some of the ramparts can still be seen today. Neusarrewerden (or the new town) was begun on the left bank of the Saar in 1706 by the Counts of Nassau saarbrücken. Its town plan and architecture are unique in Alsace.
Religious heritage. The unusually broad range of religious traditions in Sarre-Union has left many interesting and attractive buildings. The church of St Georges is one of the most striking. Built on the foundations of a medieva church, it blends late Gothic ans Renaissance styles. It contains an 18th century organ which was restored after damage in teh Second World War. Notable buildings used by other religious communities include a Jesuit chapel and college (18th C), a synagogue (19th C), a Lutheran church (18th C) and a reformed church (18th C) in "Villeneuve". Industrial heritage.
By the beginning of the 19th century Sarre-Union was a prosperous commercial and industrial town and became the capital of Alsace Bossue. As well as rural-based industries which exploited local natural ressources, it had nationnaly and internationally known enterprises including De Langenhagen (hat makers), Karcher (makers of funery decorations), Dommel (rope maker) and the Imbert chemical works that developed a process for producing gas from wood.